New Release
The Boy
Who Falls UP
We never grow out of the fear of failure. Instead, we grow into it. Who might we become if learn to embrace our fear of failure?
For little kids, graduates, and even parents, The Boy Who Falls UP tells the story of a magical boy who faces fear with wonder, learns the secrets of falling, and grows into who he is meant to be. It invites kids into an interactive tale, where they can make the story uniquely their own to see how they can become a kid who embraces failure.
A kid who falls in UP all that they do.
Creation
How The Boy Who Falls UP fell into my imagination
In 2024, I was going through a hard time. All the things that gave me identity and purpose were falling apart. It took me forever to realize I was depressed. I thought of myself as such a joyful person, because I was such a joyful boy. But I realized I had lost that joyful boy somewhere along the way. In my search to find him, I asked, what is holding me back from being that boy again? And the answer that popped into my head was the fear of failure. I then asked, how can I face my fear of failure? And this joyful little boy who falls up…fell up into my imagination.
I’m no master of the fear of failure. In trying to publish this book, I’ve let fear take hold again many times and needed to re-read my own book. I found freedom in writing it, and I still find freedom in reading it. I hope you find freedom in it too.
Finding an Illustrator
One of the most fear inducing parts of this process was finding an illustrator. There are so many different paths you can take and ways it feels like you can do it wrong. Finding Nicola Robson was a Falling Up moment. She took away my fear with wonder as she brought the joyful little boy and my story to life.
About the Illustrator
Nicola Robson
I’m a children’s illustrator from the UK who believes in the magic of stories and power of pictures to spark big imaginations.
From the moment I read The Boy Who Falls Up, I knew it was something special. Illustrating the boy’s journey, especially playing with his wild, sky-bound hair, was a beautiful experience. It reminded me why I love what I do.
To contract Nicola, find her on Reedsy.
