How it all started

The book Little Bump started in December 2021 when I met a very special patient, it was whilst I was at work in the hospital and the patient I was transporting was having a challenging day. Conversation was flowing as we headed back to their ward. The patient had suffered from significant burns, so I was ever so careful with pushing the bed.

As I was pushing the patient into the lift, I warned "little bump!" in fear the little jolt may cause some pain. Instead the patient had a smile and told me, "That could be a book, you know."
"Oh, yeah, about what?" I asked. 
"About a little orderly and a patient who have all sorts of fun adventures in the hospital."

Turns out they were right.

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In the weeks that followed after the conversation, a story began. I would find myself writing page after page on little yellow sticky notes between picking up patients and fetching theatre supplies. 

 

Before I knew it, I had a completed story! I messaged my friend Ruth, who is my clever, talented author friend, and she happened to have time to catch up the following day. She liked what she read, was so encouraging and took scruffy notes home to edit. With Ruth's help, it wasn't long until I had what looked like a plausible book. What was missing was an illustrator—my stick figure drawings were just not going to cut it. It was quite a challenge finding the right artist.

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After many months of searching, messaging and meeting different artists, I met Alisa—an answer to prayer. Someone who liked the idea of the project and wanted to get involved. This is when the book really came to life. 

March 3rd, 2023. The day I was told Little Bump would be getting published. I will never forget that day: the sky seemed a little bluer, the weather a little warmer and there was so much joy in sharing the news with all who were involved.

 

When I became aware that the dream of Little Bump may very well become a reality, my hope was always to give the profits to the RHH burns unit. Without their specialised care for burns work the patient this book is dedicated to, and many others, would not have the quality of life they do today.

This book wouldn't be here if it weren't for the support received from many: Ruth, Alisa, my beautiful friends, family, and colleagues, all who become dear friends at the day surgery unit. I will forever be grateful for the gift of my job and all the people involved in the journey of the making of this book.

Thankyou for sharing in this journey, and I hope you get as much enjoyment out of reading Little Bump as I did making it. 

 

Emma