How four quiet words became a whole world
Some stories don’t start with a plan or a plot. They begin quietly, in the middle of an ordinary moment: a little hand in yours, the sound of leaves under boots, a sentence spoken as if it had always been waiting in the air. That’s how this one began.
In 2018, during a sunny walk, my then six-year-old daughter looked up at the sky and said something that would change everything. It was a simple sentence, spoken so naturally you might have missed it if you weren’t really listening. But for a little girl whose only form of communication was to sing songs and recite long passages from her favourite books, this spontaneous moment of original speech went straight to my heart.
That sentence became Please Cloud, Don’t Cry, my debut picture book and the first of many stories I hope to share with you.
Who I am
I’m Leanne. I write and illustrate children’s books from a quiet corner of the world where weather meets wonder, and where the smallest moments hold the biggest stories.
I’m a mum to a beautiful neurodivergent daughter who taught me to listen differently – to the spaces between words, to the songs she chooses, to the way she sees the world. She’s my greatest teacher and my endless source of inspiration.
I’m also an artist who believes that every child deserves to see themselves in stories. Stories that are gentle. Stories that are honest. Stories stitched together from the everyday magic of childhood.
Why I Do This
That walk in 2018 reminded me of something important: children speak in poetry. They notice things we’ve learned to overlook, the way clouds move, the sound of rain, the feeling of wind on their faces.
My daughter’s words that day weren’t just a sentence. They were an invitation to see the world through her eyes. And when I started illustrating that moment, turning her words into pictures, I realised this was the work I was meant to do. Please Cloud, Don’t Cry is a story about empathy, about weather, about a child who wants to comfort the sky. It’s a story born from love, created with care, and offered to every child who feels deeply.
What You’ll Find Here
This blog is where I’ll share the behind-the-scenes of my creative life – the messy sketches, the quiet breakthroughs, the moments that become stories.
You’ll find:
- Stories from our journey as a family navigating neurodivergence, communication, and connection
- Watch illustrations come to life from first sketch to final page. See the process, the mistakes, and the magic.
- Updates on new projects (yes, Book Two is already taking shape!)
- Seasonal reflections, nature observations, and the small moments that make life beautiful.
- Free colouring pages, bookmarks, and art activities inspired by the books, perfect for little hands.
But mostly, this is a space for connection. For parents who celebrate the small victories. For teachers who see the wonder in every child. For anyone who believes that stories matter.
Thank You for Being Here
Whether you found me through Instagram, stumbled across Please Cloud, Don’t Cry, or landed here by happy accident, welcome. I’m so glad you’re here. This is just the beginning. There are more stories to tell, more pictures to paint, more moments of wonder waiting to be noticed.
Let’s explore this journey together.
Now I’d love to hear from you: What’s a sentence your child (or a child you know) said that stopped you in your tracks? Drop it in the comments below. You never know – it might just become the inspiration for your next story.
**P.S. If you’d like to read Please Cloud, Don’t Cry, you can get a signed hardcover from my shop. And if you’re on Instagram, please come say hello @leabeardsleyart It’s where you’ll usually find me.
