Meet Terquoia Bourne, Early Childhood Educator, mother of two, and indie author of the picture book, Baby Boy, What Will You Be? What began as a poem to frame in her son’s room became an independently published picture book.
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First the book:
The cover depicts mother and infant son snuggling, inviting the reader to share in this beautiful moment. The opening lines of the poem extend that moment to a pledge of lifelong love that ends with the question that so many parents ask: What will you be?
The following pages burst with optimism, real world occupations, and inclusiveness. Vivid illustrations portray the grown up child in possible careers: Scientist, School Teacher, Architect, Deep Sea Diver, and more. But he doesn’t stand alone. Children from various racial, religious, and physical abilities share in his future.
Children will be captivated by every page. This book is meant to be read again and again.
I fell in love with this book and I hope that it brings you and your children as much joy as it has brought me.
Meet author Terquoia Bourne:
SBR: Please describe how you went from earning a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and motherhood to the decision to become an author?
TB: I completed my Master’s program just before the birth of my son. In fact, I believe I was 7 months into my pregnancy. Shortly after returning to work from maternity leave I made the decision to resign from my job, so I could be home with my son. After being home with my son for slightly over a year I wanted to do something that was just for me. It can become easy to lose your identity and disconnect from all those qualities that make you who you are after you become a mother. I decided that I wanted to begin writing again. At the time that I made the decision to revisit my old hobby (I had not written in about 25 years) I really did not know it would lead to a book. One day as I watched my son play I felt inspired to write something for him. I honestly thought I was writing a poem to frame and hang in his room. Over the next couple of months there were a series of events involving my son that led me to the decision of turning that poem into a book.
SBR: Baby Boy, What Will You Be? conveys positivity and hope in both the words and the vivid illustrations. What have been your influences?
TB: The present state of the world and my son were major influences. We are living in scary times. Sometimes I dread turning on the news because there is so much negativity. My goal was to create a world that I would like to see through literature. A world where any goal is possible to achieve and people from everywhere live and work together harmoniously. I believe that is the world children deserve.
SBR: What made you decide to take the route of independent publishing rather than through a publishing house?
TB: Initially I submitted my manuscript to major publishers and was rejected. I was not surprised, nor was I discouraged. Something inside me would not allow me to set this project down until it was completed. Therefore, I knew I would need to self-publish and I am so glad I did. I feel like creatively I had the opportunity to see my vision for the book come to fruition, which may not have been possible with a major publisher.
SBR: How did you and Jerry Craft (http://www.jerrycraft.net) collaborate on combining illustrations with the text?
TB: I shared with Jerry the ideas I had for each occupation/topic that is discussed in the book and he was very receptive. I think he did an amazing job of capturing the vision that I had for the book and his attention to detail was impeccable. His illustrations truly exceeded my expectations.
SBR: What new projects do you have in the works?
TB: Right now, I am working on a board book for babies and another preschool-age book that is about self-love and acceptance. There are always so many ideas floating around in my head that I may put those projects on hold if I am inspired to work on something else. You never know 😊.
Find Terquoia Bourne on Facebook or follow her online blog, The Mommy Behind The Pen: My life, my passion, my journey.
