A lullaby she wrote for her first son eight years ago has morphed into an uplifting children’s book for Okotoks author Lisa Marie Gilbert.
Billed as a “sleepy homespun lullaby from one adoring mama to her son,” Mama’s Words of Wisdom is the first in what Gilbert envisions as a trilogy to provide other mothers with positive messaging to share with their children.
"It’s all the hopes and wishes and advice that you have for your baby, for your little one,” she says. “It’s things like stand up for yourself, believe in yourself, never let the beauty pass you by.”
A lullaby she sings to her oldest every night to this day, Gilbert decided four years ago to turn it into a children’s book to give other mothers the opportunity to say the same encouraging words to their children.
She’s in the process of writing a second one based on a lullaby created for her younger son which she’s called Mama’s Pearls of Guidance and has plans to pen a third aimed at little girls.
“I got the book into the Pharmasave in Black Diamond and how they work it is the owner’s daughter decides whether she likes the book," she said. "Well, she loved it, but she asked if Lisa, pretty please, could write one for a girl. It got me thinking that I’ve got lots of things to tell little girls so I’m turning it into a trilogy.”
A self-confessed hippie girl with a restored ’65 Chev and platform boots, Gilbert said the book is her way of spreading some sunshine.
“I said to my husband, this world is so messed up right now, and that was even before COVID happened. I really felt compelled to put some positivity and light out there. This virus has brought out so much hate so I'm trying really hard to go the other way.”
Gilbert had a publisher lined up for the book but when COVID hit those plans stalled, prompting her take over publishing through her own company, Blazon International.
She has it stocked in bookstores throughout the region and has held readings and signings at various stores this spring. She was also the guest of honour at a Mother’s Day tea at the Okotoks Library.
The author enlisted the services of award-winning graphic designer Lorraine Shulba to provide what she says are excellent illustrations for the book.
“I’m really pleased I was able to partner with her because we're both all about bringing positivity and light into this crazy, dark world we’re living in right now,” Gilbert said. “If we all lived by Mama’s Words of Wisdom, the world would be a much better place.”
