An Abbotsford couple has released a new children's book that teaches about the water cycle while showing kids that they can do hard things too.
The book by Glenn and Laurie Brooks is titled The Adventures of Spotty and Dotty: Into the Storm and is the first in what will become a series.
They said the book shows kids that they can be brave and work together to figure things out.
"They are resilient and creative all on their own, and sometimes us parents need to get out of their way so they can discover that for themselves," Laurie said.
The couple, who have lived in Abbotsford for more than 23 years, have raised four kids. After Laurie had a lengthy cancer battle, she was left wondering what she should do with her life while she sill has it.
She started thinking about the things she always wanted to do but for which she never had the time.
"This book is the result of that, as it's an idea I first had when I was in college while driving through the Rockies and seeing a waterfall and thinking about where all that water goes," Laurie said.
She said storytelling and reading books were a big part of their family life, and she misses the days when all four kids would snuggle up with her while she read to them.
Glenn was the storyteller, making up bedtime stories and using different voices to tell them.
They both hope that The Adventures of Spotty and Dotty – with illustrations by Afton Forsberg – become the books that parents love to read to their kids and stories that kids love to hear. The first book is dedicated to their granddaughter, Ellie.
"She loves looking at their pictures, and now I get to snuggle up with her to read it," Laurie said.
More information about the book, including links to where it can be purchased, is available online at glennandlauriebooks.com or at glennandlauriebooks on Instagram.
