A Womb with a View
by Nine Gordon Crain; Illustrated by Elvis Swift
Published by London Road
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Reviewed by Connie Anderson
Subtitle: A conversation between an expectant mother and her unborn child.
The author, a new mom, writes about their daughter, Olivia, who was born with a birth defect affecting her swallowing, "I have come to view this unsettling time as a blessing in disguise, as well as an incredible gift."
The progress and milestones are reported from the child's birth September 1997 to two years later. Today Olivia is nine years old and doing very well. But as this little family knows, as well as their extended family and religious community, a sick child teaches everyone many lessons.
The author creates this story in three ways: the baby's voice; the mother's voice; and then each page tells what is actually happening for two years on this medical rollercoaster--from the moment of birth when the baby was whisked away to intensive care to her second birthday when a joyful moment was that she could eat two French fries without choking.
The "baby" words are fewer than 70 but powerful, like, "faith and hope, spirit and grace," "up and down like a kite," and "hope sustains, so does trust."
The mother decides early the baby is the teacher and she the learner. "Your special needs all my affection. How I treasure this tender connection."
The illustrations by Elvis Swift are breathtaking, the kind you want to frame and enjoy long after treasuring the book.
Armchair Interviews says this is a dear message to any expecting mom, but especially meaningful to parents with a special-needs child.