Filed Under: Dreams Come True

Written By Nawsheen Hyland

There she was. My book. On an actual bookstore shelf. Not a dream. Not a daydream. A proper, public, spine-out moment in the wild. Nestled between beloved childhood classics and bestselling bunnies sat Grateful—my first picture book. Just sitting there. Proud. Real. At Dymocks Belconnen. And for a moment, everything around me blurred. I blinked. And blinked again. Yep. Still there. My book.

This story didn’t start on a deadline or in a flurry of productivity. It began in the hush of 3 a.m., when I should’ve been sleeping but instead was listening to the quiet rhythm of my children breathing. That kind of stillness, the soft glow of the hallway light, the way their little fingers curl in sleep—it cracked something open. Words spilled out. Not just a story, but a love letter to the life we’re building: muddy-kneed, snack-strewn, full to the brim.

Grateful is woven with moments that are unmistakably ours. The lighthouse where we were married. The backyard playhouse from the most magical Christmas morning. And first words like “moon,” “shadow,” “balloon”—those small, mighty words that turn the everyday into something sacred.

It’s not just a picture book. It’s a time capsule. A keepsake. A nudge to slow down and notice what’s already here: the magic of the mundane. The gold in the ordinary. The beauty in the daily blur.

A heartfelt thank you to the incredible crew at Dymocks Belconnen for giving this little book a place to perch. Thank you for championing new voices and homegrown stories. Your shelf space is sacred ground—and seeing Grateful there is nothing short of a dream stitched into daylight.

To those of you who’ve bought a copy, read it aloud, gifted it, or simply shared the news—you’ve helped this story find its way into homes and hearts. And I’m so grateful. (See what I did there?)

And to the little girl in me who always dreamt of writing books — she’s proud. We did it.

If you’d like to find out more about Grateful and the Blooming Hearts Collection, you can wander over to whistleandpage.com/childrens-books. The kettle’s on.

Until next time,
Nawsheen, your friendly homebody artist from Murrumbateman.

Nawsheen Hyland

Nawsheen Hyland is a passionate artist, potter, and storyteller based in the serene countryside of Murrumbateman, NSW. Drawing inspiration from the gentle rhythms of rural life and the natural beauty of her surroundings, she creates heartfelt, handcrafted pottery that celebrates the imperfect, the tactile, and the timeless.

As the founder of Whistle & Page, Nawsheen blends her love for slow craft with her deep appreciation for connection and storytelling. Each piece she creates carries a touch of her countryside studio—a place filled with golden light, soft gum tree whispers, and the occasional burst of laughter from her children running through the garden.

With a background in art and a lifelong love for creativity, Nawsheen’s work is a reflection of her belief that every day can be extraordinary. Whether she’s sculpting clay, writing heartfelt reflections, or sharing snippets of life in her cosy corner of Australia, her mission is to bring a sense of warmth and meaning to the lives of others through her art.

When she’s not at the wheel or tending to her garden, Nawsheen can often be found with a cup of tea in hand, dreaming up new designs or chasing the perfect golden hour light for her next project.

http://www.whistleandpage.com
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