About Rebecca Eckler
Since becoming pregnant with her daughter Rowan, Canadian journalist and author Rebecca Eckler has penned three hilarious books, including the best-selling Knocked Up. Catch Rebecca’s weekly unique perspective on motherhood and single parenthood.
I’ve co-written a children’s book with Erica Ehm. It’s called The Mischievous Mom at the Art Gallery. It is available in stores and online now. (Take a peek!)
I told Erica how The Mischievous Mom At the Art Gallery was the book I was most proud about. After years of writing books for mommies and teens and even an adult fiction (coming out later this year) the children’s picture book is the one I love the most.
“Really?” Erica asked.
“Yes. Really.”
Possibly, and most probably, this is because my daughter is proud of it. To hear my daughter announce, “My mommy wrote this!” is like lotion to my skin during a Canadian winter (I soak it in and feel relief!).
“You can have one,” my daughter has said at least three times in the past couple of weeks, whenever she has a friend over, as she hands over a copy to little hands, before I can say, “Wait! I only have four copies!” (Of course, once it’s in a child’s hand I can’t take it back!)
In fact, it was my daughter who pointed out that The Mischievous Mom At The Art Gallery was in the bookstore, before I even knew it was available to the public.
“Hey! That’s my mommy’s book,” my daughter said, while we walked around Type Books on Spadina Road. Before I knew what was what, she had picked up a copy, marched over to the sales clerk and asked him, “What is this doing here?” (My daughter, obviously, doesn’t quite understand how books end up in stores. Then again, neither do I!) I laughed while the sales clerk asked my daughter what she was talking about.
“That’s my mommy’s book,” my daughter said again, to the confused sales clerk.
“Oh, I wrote that,” I said breezily, my heart swelling, as I explained the situation. Usually, I’m quite embarrassed to talk about my books. (I can’t help it.) Not this time. When the clerk asked if I would sign them, I did eagerly.
My daughter was in on it from the start. She heard an oral version of the story before it was written down and saw rough drafts of the illustrations. She (along with Erica’s children) were our test market. If she looked bored when I read a sentence, that sentence was cut.
The feedback from our children is what made the book (along with the amazing illustrations!). I don’t have to worry about critics or nay-sayers this time. I already know that the most important person in my life loves it. She’s proud of it. And, to me, that’s what matters.
Is there anything better than knowing your child is proud of you?
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