We’re Happy You’re Here

Julie Wilkins, illustrated by Brady Sato
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers

Book Description

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.

Author Bio

Julie Wilkins is a storyteller and entrepreneur. The owner of Gather 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.

Illustrator Bio

Brady Sato is a Japanese Canadian illustrator who specializes in digital illustration. They developed an appreciation for visual storytelling from watching TV shows and reading manga as a child in Japan. Brady studied visual narrative at The Art Department (TAD) in Austin, Texas, with Pixar artist Kelsey Mann. They are the creator of the popular webcomic All That You Are and their first picture book, Kunoichi Bunny, was named a 2022 New York Public Library’s Best Book for Kids. Brady lives in Canmore, Alberta.