It was my daughter Daisy’s kindergarten graduation, and I had bought a lovely dress for the occasion. At least I thought so. However, that morning she took one glance at the sparkly frock and said, “That’s for babies!” From that moment on, those words became her mantra. All that Daisy had loved and treasured was dropped in a box of cast-off toys.
I never imagined that day would come so soon. I was used to Daisy saying, “I can do it myself!” She had claimed her badge of independence from the day she was born. But this felt different. It was as if she had grabbed the keys to the car without telling me where she was going. In my mind, all I heard was, “See you, Mom. I got places to go and people to meet.”
And what a journey it’s been! They call it “raising” a child, but I feel my kids “raised” me, too. I am not the same person or mother today. I’ve grown, evolved and changed right alongside my children. Here’s what–change doesn’t come easy. Letting go can be scary and sometimes hurts. But love, kindness and understanding has been my North Star.
This June is Daisy’s wedding! Goodness, did I just say that?! And with any luck, one day soon, some little person will look up to her and say, “That’s for babies!”
In THAT’S FOR BABIES!, on the morning of little Prunella’s birthday, she announces she’s a big girl, and ready for adventure. But one dark and stormy night, she discovers that growing up is a series of small milestones…two steps forward and one step back.
And here’s the book trailer premiere!
THAT’S FOR BABIES! releases June 25th…but you can win a copy right here!
Leave one comment below. A winner will be randomly chosen at the end of the month!
Good luck!
Jackie Azúa Kramer studied acting and voice at NYU and earned her MA, Queens College, Counseling in Education. Jackie has worked as an actor, singer, and school counselor. Her work with children presented her an opportunity to address their concerns, secrets and hopes through storytelling. Now she spends her time writing children’s picture books. Her picture books include, the award-winning The Green Umbrella (2017 Bank Street College Best Children’s Books of the Year), If You Want to Fall Asleep and That’s for Babies. Upcoming books- The Boy and the Eight Hundred Pound Gorilla (Candlewick, 2020); I Wish You Knew (Roaring Brook, 2021); We Are One (Two Lions, TBD); Miles Won’t Smile (Clavis, TBD).
Jackie lives with her family in Long Island, NY. When not writing, you’ll find Jackie reading, watching old movies and globe trekking.
Visit her at JackieAzuaKramer.com, Twitter @jackiekramer422, Facebook Jackie Azúa Kramer & Instagram JackieAzuaKramer.
83 comments
Comments feed for this article
April 17, 2019 at 8:43 am
Lynne Marie
Thanks for sharing! Can’t wait to read this book. Wishing you the best of luck and success!
April 17, 2019 at 8:46 am
Anita Banks
Looking forward to reading this, it sounds like fun!
April 17, 2019 at 8:50 am
Linda Mitchell
Oh, my goodness….I get this. I really get this! I have one in college, one on the way and two in high school. I’m in a state of anticipated celebration and grief in between house improvements and cleaning sessions. What a wonderful idea for a story. Many congrats on the book AND the wedding. Enjoy every moment.
April 17, 2019 at 8:58 am
nicolepopel
Can’t wait to read this!
April 17, 2019 at 8:59 am
pollyrenner
Wow Jackie! So much good news here! Congrats for Daisy AND your new book: )
April 17, 2019 at 8:59 am
Jennifer Johnson
Id like to win a copy for my school library.
April 17, 2019 at 9:00 am
ptnozell
Love the photos & the subject of this new picture book! Congratulations on your latest, Jackie!
April 17, 2019 at 9:03 am
C.L. Murphy
I’m super excited for you Jackie! Wishing you all the best with the new book and your daughter’s wedding. They grow up way too fast!
April 17, 2019 at 9:12 am
David McMullin
Oh, how they grow up so quickly. This book looks wonderful. Congratulations, Jackie!
April 17, 2019 at 9:14 am
Alexis
I look forward to reading this Jackie! My girl is 5 and I can it feels like she has grown up overnight! The handful of moments when she really needs me are treasures.
April 17, 2019 at 9:15 am
Suzanne Lewis
Great relatable topic for kids and parents! Ahhh, those days…. Congratulations!
April 17, 2019 at 9:16 am
Jana Eschner (@JanaTheTeacher)
Looks like an adorable book; can’t wait to read it!
April 17, 2019 at 9:25 am
BrookeVS
Love this! It’s so common for kids to think they’re all grown up (And sometimes even us grownups 🤣) Can’t wait to read it. Thanks for sharing!
April 17, 2019 at 9:26 am
carolmunrojww
Love the cover. She’s got attitude and confidence, but her shoes are still untied. lol So true to our kids IRL.
April 17, 2019 at 9:27 am
Rona Shirdan
All parents can relate to this topic! The book looks wonderful and I look forward to reading it!
April 17, 2019 at 9:32 am
Judy Bryan
This looks wonderful, so relatable! Congratulations, Jackie!!
April 17, 2019 at 9:32 am
kimgjolly
I loved hearing about the real life motive for this story! Wish all author would do that in their book jackets!
April 17, 2019 at 9:33 am
Sylvia Grech
Thanks for sharing! Congratulations to you.
April 17, 2019 at 9:35 am
Sylvia Grech
Great story! Thanks for sharing.
April 17, 2019 at 9:36 am
curryelizabeth
That looks so adorable! Thanks for the post. I love hearing the story behind a story. Congratulations!
April 17, 2019 at 9:45 am
Nancy Ramsey
This looks great! Can’t wait to read it! Congratulations!!
April 17, 2019 at 9:51 am
Arlene Schenker
Good luck with the book, Jackie. Sounds great. And Congrats on your daughter’s marriage.
April 17, 2019 at 9:54 am
Dawn Young
❤️Such a sweet post! As parents and teachers, we do learn as much from the little ones as they learn from us. ❤️
April 17, 2019 at 10:01 am
Jennifer Bower
What a great story idea! Love your trailer!!
April 17, 2019 at 10:08 am
Judy Sobanski
Congratulations, Jackie! What a sweet reminder that our kids grow up so fast but maybe will always (hopefully) need us.
April 17, 2019 at 10:12 am
Katie Giorgio
How fun! Can’t wait to read it!
April 17, 2019 at 10:13 am
Em Mahr
This would be great for my toddler! We have a new baby and my toddler is wanting to revert back to using baby items. This book might be just what we need!
April 17, 2019 at 10:15 am
Sarah Floyd
Congratulations, Jackie! : )
Your new book looks adorable, and such a wonderful reminder of those sweet “big boy/big girl” days!
April 17, 2019 at 10:20 am
Joy Wieder
What a cute book and great trailer, too!
April 17, 2019 at 10:23 am
Jane Norton
Congratulations! I can’t wait to read your book…I loved your post.
April 17, 2019 at 10:28 am
danielle dufayet
This looks adorable and fun! Every parent will appreciate this!
April 17, 2019 at 10:28 am
Lisa
Sounds fantastic! Excited to read this one 🙂
Enjoy the wedding celebrations!
April 17, 2019 at 10:31 am
Kristin Crouch
This books sounds lovely! What a way to capture a beautiful moment in childhood.
April 17, 2019 at 10:45 am
Phyllis Cherry
You really stepped on a tender place here with “That’s for babies”. I remember hearing the words and whining like a baby myself” longer. Wonderful title.
April 17, 2019 at 10:46 am
lisa dibble
Can’t wait to read this. My son is 12, and has grown up WAY too quickly!!
April 17, 2019 at 10:47 am
Michelle Schaub
Thanks for sharing this great trailer, Tara. Jackie, I loved learning that the inspiration for your new book came from actually words out of your daughter’s mouth. Looking forward to this book!
April 17, 2019 at 11:20 am
Karan Greene
I can’t wait to read this! It sounds like a sweet story. Thanks for sharing.
April 17, 2019 at 11:30 am
Angie
Oh, that baby face! Perfect song to go with the book trailer! Congratulations!
April 17, 2019 at 11:38 am
seschipper
Loved the trailer, anxious to read it!! Perfect song too! (my grandmom used to sing that tune to me!) 🙂
April 17, 2019 at 11:49 am
Brenda Huante
I feel like I’m going back in time. Your book sounds like so much fun!
April 17, 2019 at 11:49 am
PJ Taub
It funny. I tried to do the Hockey Pokey with my after school class of first and second graders and they all shouted, “That’s for Babies.” I’m excited to read this book to them.
April 17, 2019 at 11:53 am
Kassy Keppol
They do grow too quickly!
April 17, 2019 at 12:07 pm
Judy Y
Such a great post. All best to you and your family, Jackie! 🌸
April 17, 2019 at 12:41 pm
Mary Bleckwehl
This brought tears to my eyes. It’s hard to see what our little ones leave behind as they move on. And truly-I like to believe they are taking it all with them in their heart as they grow into loving adults.
April 17, 2019 at 12:48 pm
Stephen S. Martin
Congrats from your fellow Long Islander
April 17, 2019 at 12:50 pm
Sheri Radovich
Congratulations on your book, topic sounds fun.
April 17, 2019 at 1:02 pm
Susan Johnston
Congrats on the book! Looks adorable.
April 17, 2019 at 1:20 pm
Joanne Linden
Can’t wait to read your words about such an important benchmark!
April 17, 2019 at 1:27 pm
Lori Alexander
What a great title! I can’t wait to read this one. Congrats!
April 17, 2019 at 1:29 pm
Angela De Groot
Great book trailer!
April 17, 2019 at 1:35 pm
kathydoherty1
Aww . . . I’d love to read this to a group of preschoolers.
April 17, 2019 at 1:48 pm
CJ Penko
I’m so looking forward to this! Looks absolutely adorable! Love the cover! ❤😊
April 17, 2019 at 2:10 pm
Pamela Allen-Sanders
I love the creativity of picture books.
April 17, 2019 at 2:25 pm
Kathleen Wilcox
Such a cute and wonderful example of how a children change
as they grow. Looking forward to reading your new picture book.
April 17, 2019 at 2:37 pm
June Sengpiehl
What a charming book. I enjoy hearing how these books are born.
April 17, 2019 at 3:33 pm
Carol Gwin Nelson
I’m looking forward to sharing this with my granddaughters, who also think they are pretty grown up!
April 17, 2019 at 3:52 pm
Rebecca
Love the title! Perfect for little ones who are trying to grow up.
April 17, 2019 at 4:15 pm
supermario6
This is a wonderful idea!
April 17, 2019 at 4:37 pm
aliciaminor
Nice. You never know what’s going to come up and this is one of them. Cong rats and I like all your titles. I wish you more. God bless…
April 17, 2019 at 4:39 pm
Penny Parker Klostermann
Looks adorable! Congrats, Jackie!
April 17, 2019 at 4:59 pm
evelynchristensen
Looks like a really cute book, Jackie! Congratulations on it!
April 17, 2019 at 5:28 pm
Wendy
Congratulations Jackie on the long list of upcoming titles -and especially for That’s For Babies!
April 17, 2019 at 5:57 pm
Rita Russell
I love the idea of this book, and your adorable story of inspiration. I’m truly looking forward to reading THAT’S FOR BABIES! Congratulations!
April 17, 2019 at 6:04 pm
Kelly P
Can’t wait to read “That’s for Babies!” and share it with my students!
April 17, 2019 at 7:17 pm
authorlaurablog
Wonderful post! Congratulations on being raised by such a lovely daughter. My two daughters’ weddings were last year. A wonderful milestone.
April 17, 2019 at 7:38 pm
Kellie
Yep – that’s my daughter. From the age of 5 she could do it all … her hair, her clothes, everything. I can’t wait to read this.
April 17, 2019 at 8:16 pm
Kim Larson
You and your daughter look like sisters! The book sounds wonderful! Congratulations, Jackie!
April 17, 2019 at 8:45 pm
Cinzia V.
Your post hit so many chords for me as a mom. I can’t wait to read your book – congratulations!
April 17, 2019 at 9:25 pm
EmmieRWerner
Sound wonderful! They do grow up so quickly ❤️
April 18, 2019 at 8:17 am
Annina Luck
I loved reading this so much–and remembering when you first shared this story :)) I also loved seeing the family picture–so great! All the best with this book oxoxo
April 18, 2019 at 11:02 am
Rebecca Van Slyke
Congratulations on your “Big Girl Book!” I know some kindies here at our school who will LOVE it!
April 18, 2019 at 2:27 pm
Nancy Ferguson
This looks like a great book! I loved the old time Baby Face music for the trailer.
April 19, 2019 at 3:36 am
Linda
What fantastic illustrations. I’d love to share this book with my children.
April 19, 2019 at 8:22 am
Lucky Jo Boscarino
I like the message that it can be scary and thrilling and fun and sad to grow up and let go. And we do it our entire lives, not just as kids. Thanks, Tara and Jackie!
April 19, 2019 at 9:07 am
Derick Wilder
What a brilliant concept and title! With my “baby” about to graduate elementary school, I can certainly relate! Can’t wait to read it!
April 19, 2019 at 9:17 am
Lenora Biemans
Awww this looks so cute and I love the story behind the story!
April 19, 2019 at 5:58 pm
Darcee Freier
They grow up so fast! Congratulations!
April 19, 2019 at 8:34 pm
Genevieve Petrillo
Sounds like a fun read. Some days, it’s ONE step forward and FIVE steps back. Not in a bad way….
April 19, 2019 at 9:09 pm
marty
My first was much like your Daisy — independent from day one 🙂 And yes, she taught me as much as I taught her. Happens a lot with #1, I’m thinking! Congrats on this book and your other upcoming ones.
April 21, 2019 at 9:02 pm
Natalie Lynn Tanner
Jackie: I am SO IN LOVE with this book; from the idea that SPARKED it, to the ADORABLE illustrations! I CAN’T WAIT to read it!!! THANK YOU!!!
April 22, 2019 at 1:46 pm
suemford
Great! I loved hearing the story behind it.
April 23, 2019 at 8:13 pm
Janet Smart
I love the trailer! And it’s being released on my birthday – a great day for both of us.
May 12, 2019 at 9:07 am
Dosanjh
Just finished this amazing read. This story is just what the title describes it as.Cute little story about not wanting to grow up too fast.