We're Happy You're Here

An inclusive and diverse celebration of the joys of preparing to welcome a child and the importance of community and family.

Many special people are involved in welcoming a new child into a family: parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, surrogates, midwives, doctors, doulas, therapists, social workers, financial planners, nutritionists, technicians and more. Everyone has their part to play, and it takes a lot of wishing, planning and training. But it's all worth it when we finally get to say, "We're happy you're here!"

With inclusive illustrations depicting diverse family journeys, including single parents, LGBTQ+ parents and a variety of family structures, this joy-filled picture book invites children and their special people to explore the meaning of family, community and the beautiful mix of science, wisdom and love that brought them into the world.

Julie Wilkins is a storyteller and entrepreneur. The owner of Little Bookshop, an independent bookstore where her passion for inclusive and diverse literature comes alive on the shelves, Julie is excited to be finding her own voice as an author. We’re Happy You’re Here is her first book. Julie lives in Squamish, British Columbia.

Brady Sato is a Japanese-Canadian illustrator who developed an appreciation for visual storytelling from watching TV shows and reading manga as a child in Japan. Brady’s first picture book, Kunoichi Bunny, was named one of New Your Public Library’s Best Books for Kids and they are the creator of the popular webcomic All That You Are. Brady lives in Canmore, Alberta.