New Board Book Helps Parents and Babies Bond from Day One

This June parents seeking a meaningful way to connect with their newborns will find the perfect companion in the new board book by crisis interventionist, humanitarian, and author-illustrator Eleanor Brindle. THE FIRST DAYS blends high-contrast, brain-boosting artwork with heartfelt words to create a beautifully crafted book that nurtures connection and supports early development during those precious first moments with a newborn.

The first days with a newborn are a whirlwind of emotions—joy, exhaustion, and an overwhelming sense of wonder. As a parent herself, Eleanor Brindle deeply understands this transformative time and crafted a book that captures the hopes, dreams, and heartfelt wishes caregivers hold for their little ones. Featuring abstract black-and-white illustrations and evocative language, this book offers a meaningful, shared reading experience for families of all kinds. Inspired by both personal experience and scientific research, Brindle’s work is designed to foster connection and early engagement.

“When my child was born, I created a series of black-and-white drawings to engage with my newborn,” Brindle explains. “Over time, I noticed my baby becoming more responsive to visual stimuli, reacting more quickly and attentively. Seeing this impact firsthand inspired me to develop this book, so other parents could share in the experience.”

As part of the development process for The First Days, Eleanor conducted a focus group of seven families with babies ranging from birth to four months participated in an early reading experience with the book. Over the course of six weeks, each family engaged with the book during moments that felt natural—whether during tummy time, regular story time, or quiet moments of bonding.

“The goal of this focus group was to observe how both parents and babies responded to the book, gather feedback on its effectiveness in fostering connection, and assess its impact on early visual and auditory engagement,” Eleanor explains. “Parents were encouraged to share their thoughts on how their baby interacted with the book, whether they noticed any particular reactions or engagement, and how the experience felt for them as caregivers. The results were incredibly positive. Their experiences highlight the emotional and developmental impact of the book and its potential to become a meaningful part of the early bonding journey.”

**Some of the key features of The First Days include:**

High-Contrast Art for Early Development – Scientifically proven to enhance brain growth and visual development in infants, the book’s black-and-white illustrations are designed to engage young minds.
Rooted in Expert Psychology – Authored by an international crisis interventionist, this book nurtures the bond between caregiver and child, laying the foundation for lifelong resilience.
Support for Postpartum Mental Health – By articulating complex emotions, this book offers new parents a comforting, shared experience that promotes mental well-being.
A Multi-Sensory Learning Experience – Engaging both sight and sound, this book supports early sensory and emotional development.

With its powerful combination of developmental benefits and emotional depth, Eleanor Brindle’s new board book is a must-have for parents, caregivers, and gift-givers looking to celebrate the joy of new life while fostering meaningful early connections.

The First Days

A High-Contrast Book for Parents and Babies

By Eleanor Brindle

On Sale: 06/03/25

Collective Book Studio

ISBN: 9781685557409

Format: Casebound Board Book

Price USD: $14.95

Age of Audience: Children (Ages 0-3)

Page count: 24

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Eleanor Brindle is a crisis interventionist, a certified EMDR practitioner, and a relief and development professional. With an MS in psychology, with a focus on crisis management and response from a trauma-informed perspective, she specializes in projects that focus on creating meaning, building resiliency, and instigating social change through the use of the creative arts. Her background is in international humanitarian relief and has led projects on the ground in conflict zones spanning the Middle East, Africa, and Central and East Asia. She has researched, designed, and implemented cross-cultural programs for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Iraq, Syrian refugees in Turkey, and Burundian, Sudanese, Syrian, and Iraqi refugees living in the United States. She lives in Fairhope, AL, with her husband and spirited toddler.

The Collective Book Studio is a woman-owned, full-service publishing studio that works with authors, brands, and companies to create, develop, and publish high-quality books. Known for their beautifully designed and curated titles, The Collective Book Studio connects readers with stories that matter, making their books ideal for gifts and personal collections alike. With a focus on innovative content and striking design, The Collective Book Studio offers a unique approach to the publishing process, providing clients with expertise and collaborative support from concept to creation.

The Collective Book Studio’s books are distributed by Simon & Schuster, a global leader in general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for readers of all ages. For more information, visit www.simonandschuster.com.