Monks, Bree: - Children's book author Bree Monks has always enjoyed writing since she was a child, but it wasn't until she had her own children that she was inspired to put pen to paper, so to speak. Reading to her children and visiting the library was one influence in her book journey, but another important one was the water birth of her second child who spurred her picture book, Born in the Water, a gentle yet accurate story about such a birth and the sodality of mothers in different cultures throughout the world.Finding that there weren't many books available that explained the way her daughter was brought into the world, Bree wanted to provide a tool for families to invite discussion about different birth circumstances in a way that made sense to young children. She believes a great book is one that a family can share together and that can later be applied to teachable moments during their day. She hopes her young readers come away from her story understanding that birth should not be an uncomfortable topic to discuss and that it is an amazing and life-changing event that happens all around us. When she isn't writing illuminating stories for children, Bree enjoys road-tripping in her family's campervan, hiking together, and camping in the Rocky Mountains, where she lives with her husband and two children who she homeschools. With another child on the way (a planned water birth at home!), Bree finds time to tend to her garden and chickens-named Twinkie, Scotchy, Lucille 1, and Lucille 2 by her kids-along with a lot of baking, cooking, and canning together. Born in the Water is her debut picture book.