BYU graduates and twin sisters Heidi Andrews and Heather Fujikawa hosted a launch party for their first children’s book Nov. 16 at the Provo Startup Building.
The book, “Fairy Birds: Fairy Godmothers in Training,” is the first of a six-part series that reveals where fairy godmothers come from. Each book will focus on a different positive trait that fairy godmothers possess.
“We wanted it to make a positive influence in children’s lives because, as we all know, there are a lot of books out there that don’t necessarily touch on doing great things,” Andrews said. “We just wanted to create some good in the world for kids and have an example for them to follow.”
The first installment of the series focuses on teaching children how to give. Other attributes slated to be included in the series are kindness and loving.
“The book is full of infectious illustrations, delightful color, fashionable characters and a secret message — to just give a little — that is captivating children everywhere,” the launch party’s press release said.
The book has earned a name for itself since its Oct. 23 launch, earning multiple awards, including the 2013 Book of the Year by Creative Child Magazine.
“(Heather and I) have been very humbled and very excited about both awards that we received,” Andrews said. “It was also a validation of what we are doing and that other people are recognizing that it’s a good book and has potential to influence the lives of children.”
Response from readers has been positive. Parents are excited to have another tool with which to teach their children.
“(The response has) just been overwhelming,” Andrews said. “Parents have been looking for a book like this to teach their kids some great attributes and traits that other books haven’t touched on before, so that’s been great to have that type of response.”
Children are eager to put the message of this story to practice.
“There’s such a great response already from people sending in stories about what their children are helping them do,” Andrews said. “That’s exactly what we want to be happening — children really catching wind of this and getting excited and continuing to give.”
The sisters have also launch a successful accessory line, True Birds, which is carried in stores including Nordstrom. Their success in launching two successful projects at such an early phase is inspiring to those they interact with.
“They’re young, and they’ve had really great experiences,” said Brooke Higginbotham, a BYU student and event staff at the launch party. “They’re doing so well, and they’re their own bosses, and I think that’s really inspiring.”
The book, along with Fairy Godmother merchandise including wings and hair accessories, is available now on the official website, www.fairybirds.com.
