A New Children's Book That Helps Mothers Answer the Questions, "Mommy, Why do You Have to Go to Work?"

Doylestown, PA, October 01, 2008 --(PR.com)-- According to the US Department of Labor, 70% of all working women are mothers. Working mothers who have one foot planted firmly in the home and the other in the workplace wear many different shoes during the course of a week. And to Bucks County writer and working mom Kristie Finnan, that challenge is a happy one. It is the main reason she wrote her first children’s picture book: Mommy’s High Heel Shoes (release date October 8th, 2008).

Finnan, a mother of two preschoolers and full time sales representative for a biotech company, searched bookstores and libraries for stories that featured working moms to help her explain why she works to her children. After finding the selection slim to none, she decided to fill this unmet need and write one herself. Her story was inspired by her daughter’s fascination with Mommy’s high heel shoes and everyday events in her own young family. It revolves around a timeless ritual that so many youngsters have had fun doing: trying on Mommy’s shoes.

Kristie Finnnan says, “I knew I had to write Mommy’s High Heel Shoes when my daughter clip clopped around the house in a pair of princess dress up shoes on her birthday last year. She said, “Bye, Mom. I’m going to work.” That was my “Ah Ha” moment. I just can’t believe my books were received at the loading dock from overseas on her 4th birthday this year- one year exactly. It’s like fate!”

In Mommy’s High Heel Shoes (Mommy WorkShop, October 2008), after Mommy leaves for work, her children play with the shoes in her closet. Her daughter, nicknamed “Cakes” because of her love of cupcakes, realizes Mommy’s high heels are tricky to walk in. Cakes tries to imagine why Mommy chooses to wear such wobbly shoes and matches all the different shoes Mommy wears to the happy times they share together. When Mommy comes home, she lovingly talks to Cakes about her work and reveals to Cakes her favorite and most important job in the world.

Ali Abelson, Director of KinderCare Learning Center in Hatboro, PA says, “I think the message in the book is so important to all of our children who have to say goodbye to parents each day.”

Author Finnan met Doylestown illustrator Pat Achilles at a Doylestown Women’s Business Forum meeting. Achilles immediately caught Finnan’s enthusiasm for the book’s subject matter. “The story has the ring of truth,” says Achilles. “I remember walking in my mom’s high heels when I was little. I think practically every little girl identifies with that!” Achilles illustrates for greeting cards, businesses, children’s books and magazines, but this is her first full color picture book. “Kristie liked the charm of the art in the old Golden Books, but she wanted all the fashions and décor to be fresh and up-to-date. The book bridges traditional and modern children’s illustration and It’s so much fun!” On each page of the story there is a hidden ladybug, cupcake and heart as a fun activity for kids to do as the book is read.

Finnan is an author who understands firsthand how working parents and children can struggle with separation and busy schedules. She also hopes to provide working mothers and children with helpful resources on her fun website, www.mommyshoes.com. She says, “Whether moms choose to work or have to work, we should always do our best to help each other feel good and be postive role models.”

Mommy’s High Heel Shoes, published by Mommy WorkShop, retails for $16.99 and is available online and at bookstores (release date Oct 8th, 2008). Fifty cents from each book sold at www.mommyshoes.com online shop will be given to working mother entrepreneurs through Kiva.org.

On October 3rd, 2008- Kristie Finnan and Pat Achilles will be at Busy Bee Toys (58 E. State Street, Doylestown, PA) from 6:00 – 9:00 pm for a Special First Friday Doylestown Event and book signing. Early release books will be available to purchase. Kids can meet the author & illustrator and make a fun art project. $1 from each book purchased during this event will be donated to Breast Cancer Research, in memory of Kathleen Barry Finnan (the author’s mother in law).

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