RAMBLINGS: Paisley’s Big Birthday: The Birthday Story Behind the Birthday Book

​Often authors are asked, “Where do you get your ideas?” Most will answer, “Everywhere!” which, in my case, is true. But if you’re wondering where I got the idea for my debut picture book, PAISLEY’S BIG BIRTHDAY, the answer is simple—a birthday. More specifically, the fifth birthday for this little guy:

​On a special day in 2014, I dropped my smiling birthday boy at preschool with homemade treats, wished him a happy birthday, and watched him hop through the front door. A few hours later, that same boy, now wearing a glittery birthday crown and a slight frown, walked toward the car. As he climbed into his car seat, the conversation went something like this:

​Birthday Boy:     “When is my birthday?”
Me:                       “Today!”
Birthday Boy:     (shakes his head) “No.”
 
I did a quick assessment: Birthday crown? Check. Empty birthday treat container? Check. Hmm…

Me:                       “Did everyone sing happy birthday to you?
Birthday Boy:     “Yes”
Me:                       “And you got birthday treats? And a crown? And you were line leader?"
Birthday Boy:     “Yes”
Me:                       “Because today is your birthday!”
Birthday Boy:     (pause)
                              “No.”
                              (another pause)
                              “When is my real birthday?”
Me:                       “Today!”
\Birthday Boy:     (longer pause)     
                              "It doesn’t feel like it.”

​My mind began to spin. Why didn’t he feel like it was his birthday? Did something happen at school? Did something not happen? What would it take for him to feel like it was his “real” birthday? A few questions later, I realized he believed that on his birthday he would instantly “feel” older; he would magically be able to do things he wasn’t able to do the day before. But I kept the conversation going during the ride home, through lunch, and for some time after that. I asked lots of questions and listened as he shared evidence for why it was most definitely not his birthday. I was enamored with his reasoning and determination, while underneath it all, I felt his disappointment that this day, one that was supposed to be special, didn’t meet his expectations. 

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Eventually the moment passed. He agreed it was his birthday after all, and then he settled down for his nap.

​Of course, once he was asleep, the first thing I did was write all of this down because I thought that someday it might make a great premise for a picture book. 

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​Now, nine years later, you can read a story about a bunny who hops out of bed the morning of her birthday, expecting to be all things “big bunny.” 

​PAISLEY’S BIG BIRTHDAY, written by me, illustrated by Natallia Bushuyeva, published by Clavis Books, will be available in the U.S. on August 22nd, but you can pre-order your copy now. Click HERE for ordering links.