Student illustrates new children’s book about breastfeeding

A USD art student recently helped a Minnesota mom in creating her first book.

USD’s Mara Morrill got the chance to be the creative hand behind the artwork of “Oh the Places You Can Breastfeed,” a new novel by Abbie Paulson, a self-employed mom in the health field.

Morrill, a sophomore studio art major with an emphasis in painting, met Paulson through Facebook, she said.

“I would post my work on Facebook often,” Morrill said. “I use it as a way to market my art work.”

Morrill said she immediately agreed to help Paulson with this project because it was a chance to work outside of the art department.

“I sometimes forget that my work is now published, which keeps me humble,” she said. “It is encouraging, though, to know that my work is good.”

“Oh The Places You Can Breastfeed” is a children’s book aimed at educating people from an early age about the rights of breast-feeding in public, Paulson said.

“A lot of this idea had to do with the fact that I breast-feed my son,” she said. “My personal experience of getting dirty looks when Breastfeed in public and hearing about other stories of discrimination really inspired this project.”

Paulson said asking Morrill to help illustrate the book was an impromptu idea.

“I had admired her artwork whenever she posted it,” Paulson said. “She came to mind when I thought about making this a children’s book.”

Morrill said she agreed to the project before she knew what it was because it was a way to apply her talent outside of school.

“It’s aimed at educating the public about breast-feeding, to explain that it is natural and legal,” Morrill said. “We’ve been brainstorming about collaborating on another book soon.”

Paulson said she likes the idea of “spreading awareness about the controversial issues that impact mothers and children.”

Morrill said she’s enjoyed this experience and is looking forward to their next step.

“Coming up with some of the ideas were kind of tricky, but once I had an idea it was just easy to focus,” Morrill said. “Some of the images are my friends, meaning the scenes mom and child were in. I would just imagine them and it was easy to play along with that character.”

Morrill’s illustrations in the book represent different sizes, cultures and lifestyles of mothers who are breast-feeding.

“I think it’s a great chance to show that diversity,” she said. “It helps to show that breast-feeding is completely natural.”

Morrill said it’s a good lesson for future generations to hear.

“With our growing society, I think we will just try our best to get this book to future generations to say ‘this is normal,’” Morrill said.

Paulson is hoping that their brainstorming will lead to another book, “possibly by the end of 2016.”

“There’s been a lot of this breast-feeding issue shown in the media,” Paulson said. “It’s good for people to know the laws and for mothers to know their rights.”

“Oh the Places You Can Breastfeed” is available online only through Barnes & Noble and on Amazon.