The Family for Me

<p>Author:<br /><br>Nicky has always loved getting lost in a good story. As a child, she especially<br /><br>enjoyed tales that whisked her away on incredible adventures or helped her<br /><br>see the world in new ways. Growing up, favourites such as Hairy Maclary, The<br /><br>Floods, and Percy Jackson sparked a lifelong love of reading.<br /><br>Now working in primary education, with a background in childcare, Nicky<br /><br>writes stories that help children feel seen, understood, and proud of who they<br /><br>are. Her debut picture book, The Family For Me, began as a personal project<br /><br>— a special gift for her niece, who is growing up with a single mother. Through<br /><br>this story, she wanted to show that every family is unique and that this is<br /><br>something to embrace and celebrate. This message is close to her heart, both<br /><br>in her work with children and as a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.<br /><br>Nicky believes passionately that stories are powerful tools for engaging with<br /><br>children, fostering an inclusive community, sparking curiosity, and inviting<br /><br>conversation. When she’s not writing or teaching, she loves discovering<br /><br>new food spots, heading out on spontaneous road trips, attempting (and<br /><br>occasionally succeeding at) DIY crafts, and hosting board game nights with<br /><br>friends. She is also a big fan of live music, hiking, and weekend adventures<br /><br>with her niece.</p><br><br><p>Illustrator:<br /><br>Deniz was born in November 1995 in Eskisehir, a small city in Turkey. It snowed<br /><br>the day she arrived, and perhaps that’s why she still loves building snowmen!<br /><br>Growing up in an apartment building, she spent hours drawing clouds and<br /><br>watching them drift by. Her passion for cartoons and drawing led her to study<br /><br>Animation at university.<br /><br>Today, Deniz happily spends her time illustrating children’s books, watching<br /><br>cartoons, and devouring as many children’s stories as she can. Her work is full<br /><br>of charm, warmth, and playful detail — perfect for bringing The Family For Me<br /><br>to life.</p><br>