I’m back! And easing back into the picture book groove with a very sweet story.

Ellie Laks founded the Gentle Barn in 1999. With the help of her partner, Jay, and a team of amazing staff and volunteers, they have rescued thousands of animals who had nowhere else to go. When the animals are ready, she partners with them to help humans who are hurting and inspire gentleness. She has written two memoirs, is an animal communicator to clients around the world, and enjoys time off with her three kids, and three grandchildren. You can learn more about her at her website, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, or follow Gentle Barn on Instagram.

GENTLE is a picture book with a repeating verb (i.e., gentle). It can be read just as a story about being careful with animals or the deeper story of a specific rescue case when Ellie rescued a calf. There just aren’t a lot of stories that talk about softer emotions quite like this. It’s a sweet story that captures that gentleness in both text and illustration.

Welcome Ellie!

Me: Can you tell us a little bit about your writing journey. When did you start writing? How has that brought you to writing this picture book?

Ellie: I have always loved reading and writing. I remember making bread and butter in the kitchen as a teenager and as I was spreading the butter, I was narrating what I was doing as if I was writing the experience in a book. I have always loved describing things, and finding the meaning, inspiration, and lessons hidden underneath.

I have always known there was a book in me, but for a long time I couldn’t grasp the story. After founding The Gentle Barn I started writing my life story, which lead to The Gentle Barn, which lead to the animals. I started at the beginning and wrote all of it down. An agent reached out to me and before I knew it, I had published my memoir, My Gentle Barn. I was excited to share more stories of our animals and the lessons they teach us all, and published my second book, Cow Hug Therapy.

Gentle is my third book, but my very first children’s book. The magic of our calf, Lewis, the way we saved him, and the life he has lived at The Gentle Barn needed illustrations. The whole story is whimsical and needed to be seen and felt. I am excited to share it with the world!

Me: I love this story of gentleness and kindness! What gave you the idea for this book?

Ellie: Raising Lewis was one of the greatest experiences of my life. He was an orphan and very ill. Because of the extreme heat, we were losing him. The only way to save his life was to bring him inside the air-conditioning, nurture him, and become his family. This is an experience that most have not had, so when it was time to start writing children’s books, I had to start with Lewis.

Me: Children can be naturally gentle, though some struggle with it. Why the repeated refrain of “gentle” through your entire book? Why focus on that aspect of John Lewis Thunderheart’s story?

Ellie: Lewis was born inside a slaughterhouse, one of the darkest places on earth. The trauma, violence, and cruelty there almost took his life. It was the gentleness that he received by us as his family, our dog Sky, the veterinarian’s care, and later the other animals in the barnyard that resuscitated and healed him. I see that as an example of the world’s larger issues.

There is much division and suffering in our world today. It is only gentleness that will change and heal it. With the repetition of “gentle” my book is starting the conversation of what being gentle means and creating a call to action for children and their families to be gentle.  

Me: It’s not every day you see a story written quite this way. The repeated refrain is quite lovely. It calms the reader down and might even be seen as a nice goodnight book to read at bedtime. Was your story always like this from the first draft? Or did it come about through many revisions and editing?

Ellie: Lewis’ story was more literal at the beginning as I tried to tell it in the perfect way. But this idea of Gentle kept resurfacing as the core of the work that we do at The Gentle Barn, and also in the heart of Lewis’ recovery. And we need gentleness so much now. So, it evolved as a repeated refrain, to include the reader in the gentle feelings of Lewis’ recovery and also, soothe the reader to feel a gentleness wrap around them from the book as they read. It is meant to offer hope and gentleness to audiences of all ages.

Me: The illustrations by Jennifer A. Bell are pitch perfect. They’re so soft and appealing. I am stunned by her choice of that bright pink line work. It’s gorgeous! Any illustration surprises for you? Any favorites?

Ellie: When I saw Jennifer’s work, I knew right away that she was the one. What surprised me was that she didn’t just make it up on her own or create illustrations from photos I sent her. She came to The Gentle Barn to meet Lewis and the other animals in person, and see all the textures, colors, and backdrop for herself. Then she created this work of art that not only depicts Lewis, the actual animals, and the look of our barnyard, but brings with it the fairytale, soft, gentle, magical colors with it. My favorite page is at the end when all the animals are cuddled up next to each other for “Gentle Bed”. It makes me yearn for a world where all of us can just cuddle up and find peace together. 

Me: What is one thing that surprised you in creating this book?

Ellie: I was surprised by the way that the illustrations depict how beautiful that time was for me, my family and Lewis. Lewis is grown now and huge, but because of this book and the gorgeous illustrations, his babyhood, innocence, and journey is captured forever not just for me and my family, but for fans around the world who raised him with us and rooted for Lewis every day!

Me: Do you have any advice for new or aspiring picture book writers?

Ellie: My advice for new writers is don’t overthink it, let the process take you on a journey and unfold for you, through you. It is like pregnancy: it is something that starts as an idea, grows inside you, and with its own life and energy, takes form, and takes your breath away!

I love that. Great advice. Thank you for stopping by my blog today Ellie.

Dear readers, this book publishes tomorrow! Keep an eye out for this unique book. It’s rare that we see books exploring the softer side of emotions, let alone help us as a reader to feel them. Trust me when I say, you won’t want to miss it!