Join us for storytime
Check out author Kezia Brett reading ‘From Above the Clouds’ on YouTube.
Make sure you watch until the end for a SPECIAL GIFT.
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Review: Kids Book Review
We are thrilled with the review we received from the wonderful children’s literature and book review site ‘Kid’s Book Review.’ Here’s what they had to say about ‘From Above the Clouds.’
‘From Above the Clouds’ is a tale of abiding love. The main character is a young girl named Grace, who begs to hear her favourite story about her life as a tiny baby.
In her little life, Grace has already been through a very long journey to become the child she is today. Kezia Brett’s lyrical text, deeply inspired by personal experiences, explores the wishes, dreams and fears of Grace’s family and community, as they all learn that the little baby is very sick, and each brings hope, support and guidance.
This story highlights the love and joy that a new life brings, and the very real challenges that some children and their families experience, expressed in a gentle, hopeful way. Martina Heiduczek’s illustrations are ethereal and joyous, giving a peacefulness to the story which deals with some difficult times in Grace’s journey.
This is a beautiful, comforting book that demonstrates how valuable every child is, whether they are with us here or above the clouds.
Posted 12th October 2019
New Blog Post: Best books to read to NICU babies
Check out our new post to learn why it is so important to read to babies in Special Care Nursery (SCN) or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and to see our recommendations on the best Aussie books for the task.
Posted : August 14th, 2019
Buy a book and help newborn babies
For the month of August we are donating 15% of book sales to the Royal Women’s Hospital Foundation.
‘From Above the Clouds’ author, Kezia Brett, was cared for by the Women’s in 2016 throughout a high-risk pregnancy and the sad loss of her baby daughter.
Kezia wanted to turn this experience into something positive and ‘From Above the Clouds’ emerged.
Kezia says “This experience reminded me about the importance of community. It also taught me about the resilience of the human spirit and the personal growth that comes from difficult times. I wanted to create a book that teaches this to children in an entertaining way, and supports them to develop empathy, resilience, and community connectedness. And while inspired by my experience the book has a happy ending.”
CEO of the Royal Women’s Hospital Foundation, Sarah Bernard, said: “We are thrilled that Kezia has chosen to fundraise for us through this fantastic children’s book. The donations from the proceeds will help the Women’s to continue research and innovation and fund cutting-edge technology and equipment for our women and newborn babies.”
Around 45,000 babies are admitted to a special care nursery or neonatal intensive care in Australia each year.
Since its release in 2017, ‘From Above the Clouds’ has resonated with many children that had their own difficult start to life. But the book has also been popular with families that haven’t personally been through such an experience, but are engaged by the themes, whimsical illustrations, and beauty of the story.
Kezia went on to have a healthy baby boy at the Women’s in 2018. She is currently pregnant with her third child.
Posted: July 31st, 2019
We are on Booktopia!
‘From Above the Clouds’ can now be found on Australia’s number one online bookshop, Booktopia.
AND if you access Booktopia via this LINK, whenever you buy a book from Booktopia (not just ours), we get a modest kickback. Huzzah! So save this page and keep us living a life of luxury!
‘From Above the Clouds’ is also still available from a number of other stockists across the country, and library/school distributors.
Book retailers can also make wholesale purchases through Booktopia’s distribution arm, Booktopia Publisher Services (BPS).
Posted 24th October 2018
Now part of the Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge!
We are thrilled to announce that ‘From Above the Clouds’ has been accepted as part of the Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge’s mid-year intake.
Twice a year, books are added to the list by an expert panel that includes teachers and librarians.
‘From Above the Clouds’ can be found in categories Prep to year 2, and years 3 to 4.
For more information about the Challenge, or to search the list, go here.
We love seeing ‘From Above the Clouds’ used in the classroom, and to make life easier for all those amazing educators out there, we have developed Teachers Notes.
Purchase options for schools and libraries can be found here.
Posted 25th June 2018
Review: Words and Illustrations
We love this review by Words and Illustrations. This was first published on 6th February 2018 on Instagram.
A rhythmic hymn celebrating and cherishing the arrival of life – the journey parents, family and the child make to come into this world. A stellar debut picture book by Kezia Brett. The story swells into a sweeping spiritual montage of the collective voices across cultures, each whispering, singing, chanting the hopeful prayer that ‘everything will be alright’. A night will end. A ship will return. A child will be born.
Martina Heiduczek illustrates with a deep sense of emotion, peppering the story with moments of magic and whimsy. Layering textures of watercolour, pencil and gouache she adds depth with flair.
This February the @KidLitPicks Book Club are sharing our favourite picture books focused on the theme ‘legacy’.
Author Kezia Brett has forged from the deepest of losses a new legacy of hope and love. Starting her own publishing house to share this story, she begins a new exciting chapter – with another release lined up already. Seek her out over at @fierce_grace_publishing!
AND to see more #KidLitPicks_Legacycheck out the hashtag (and be sure to share your own recommendations too). Also take a look at feeds like @spiky_penelope @curiouslittlepeopleand @the.book.report for utterly delicious book suggestions.
Eastern Pregnancy and Baby Expo
Fierce Grace Publishing will be attending the Eastern Pregnancy Baby Expo.
There will be a reading of From Above the Clouds at 12.15pm, and book sales and signing throughout the day.
Plus lots of other great baby and pregnancy goodies.
All money raised throughout the day will go to Heartfelt – an amazing charity who provide a valuable service to grieving families.
Posted: January 25th, 2018
The story behind From Above the Clouds
If you are interested in finding out how this book came to life, you can read Kezia’s article in Mamamia, and see her interview on Channel 7 News.
While this book came out of tragedy, From Above the Clouds is a joyous celebration with a happy ending.
Kezia says, “through this experience, I learned about the resilience of the human spirit, and how in challenging times we can come together to overcome adversity. I wanted to create an entertaining story that teaches children about these themes, and enables them to develop empathy, resilience and connection.”
Since its release, From Above the Clouds has resonated with many children that relate to Grace’s experience after their own difficult start to life.
But more than anything, the book has been hugely popular with families that haven’t personally been through such an experience, but are engaged by the character, rhythm, and beauty of the story – a story of family, community and love.
Posted: January 15th, 2018
New Stockists
After a long journey, our shipment of From Above the Clouds has arrived safely in our hands.
We have filled all the pre-orders, and stocked up our local stores.
If you live in Melbourne there are number of places where you can buy the book in person. We will be adding some new regional Victorian and interstate stockists in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.
Visit our Stockists page for more info.
Posted: December 11th, 2017
We’re having a book launch!
We are thrilled to announce, that in partnership with Yarra Libraries and Yarra City Council, we are officially launching From Above the Clouds.
Come and help us celebrate.
Tickets are limited and bookings are essential.
Book online at Yarra Libraries or call 1300 695 427
Posted: November 11th, 2017
