Three years ago when my grandson Thomas (Tuffy) was 3 years old, he liked to play a game with me, What’s That Sound? He would make an animal sound, “meow”, and say “What’s that sound? Is it a cow? No! It’s a cat.”
In the middle of the night, I woke up saying to myself “What’s that sound? I ask Mamére. What’s that sound, up in the air?”
I responded to the voice in my head and wrote a short verse that became the draft for a baby board book. I pitched it to UL Press, and they decided to take it on as their very first board book.
My friend and fellow picture book writer Gayle Webre had found illustrator Drew Beech through SCBWI (Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators). I contacted Drew, and she took on the project. I couldn’t be happier with her illustrations. I sent her photos of the characters, me, my grandson, my husband, a neighbor who was nanny to my other grandchildren, and my own mother.
I’m sad that my mother is not here to see the book. The photo I had of her was with my oldest daughter sitting in a chair hammock.
On the last spread, Drew created a family crawfish boil. That was a complete surprise to me, a happy surprise.
In the fall, I had the chance to hold the dummy copy in my hands. It was like someone handing me a new baby. I cried.
I realize through this process, often long and frustrating, that every picture book you hold in your hands is a labor of love. All of my love is poured into What’s That Sound?
(Book Release Event: Friday, March 27th at The Roy House on UL’s campus from 4:30-6:00 PM.)
Reflections on the Teche 
What’s that sound? Happy claps and snaps to congratulate Margaret for her new book!
Congrats! A book developing in the middle of the night seems like magic. Or a miracle. Either way, it is amazing and wonderful.
It does all feel like a miracle ! The verse, the illustrations, the publishing.
Many Congrats 🎉 🎈🎊 Margaret your new 📕 “What’s That Sound” Looks and sounds Delightful!!!
Oh, Margaret, congratulations, friend! This is so awesome. I can’t wait to get my own copy of this labor of love. I’m off to clock the link now! In the future, I would love to read about Tuffy’s response to seeing the book.
Thanks, Denise. I do look forward to giving him his own book.
Oh, Margaret. You are such an inspiration! This book looks awesome and I’m going to purchase a copy for my newest great nephew, born last week. Over the last 10 years, I’ve written 4 picture book manuscripts. I’m finally starting the self-publishing process and I’m very nervous. One of them could be a board book. Could you give me the info about your publisher and how I could send that manuscript. Congratulations on a wonderful accomplishment.