Behind the Scenes of We Needed a You by M.H. Clark and Illustrated by Olivia Holden

Clark: It’s about the way a child changes everything: makes the world brighter, bigger, and fuller in every way. It is a deep affirmation for young readers—that they are profoundly important to the world, their communities, and their families, and that they are loved and celebrated just for being.

Holden: The message immediately makes me think of the little people I know and love in my own life––and the joy they bring to the people around them. The words really resonated with me in that way… thinking of the concept of time as a “before” and “after” the little people you love have come along.

Clark: Children are so naturally curious about the world that existed before they were here. They want to know all about what things were like before they arrived! The concept of We Needed a You spins that curiosity in a meaningful way by explaining “But somehow, the world just didn’t feel done. It seemed we were missing a certain someone…” What a delight for a child to know that they were that someone! The book goes on to say, “And then you arrived, and the whole world changed—and suddenly nothing was ever the same.” We all need to know that we are needed here, and that the simple fact of our being makes a difference to everyone we know and every place we go. That is the message at the heart of this book.

Holden: The story is a celebration of a little person joining the world, and I wanted the artwork to enhance that feeling of celebration and wonder. I wanted to keep the overall feel of the book quite colorful and bright with lots of interesting textures. I think the brightness of the colors adds joyfulness to it. I used a variety of mediums: inks, gouache, acrylic paints layered with some pastels and pencils. I also used collage for layering up these textures and patterns. I’m proud of how it grew and evolved from start to finish.

Clark: Olivia has painted so many exquisite scenes that it’s next to impossible for me to pick just one. The palette, perspectives, and characters are so incredibly special that I notice something new every time I turn the pages. The way she illustrated the “you” who is missing for the first half of the book is genius… If I had to choose a favorite design element, that would be it!
Holden: I have a few favorites. The blackberry scene transports me back to a childhood memory of mine. Every summer my nana and grandad would take my cousin and me blackberry picking. It would be around the end of August to early September, and we’d all go on this footpath nearby their house on a summer evening with a Tupperware box ready to fill with blackberries. We’d stay over, and the next day we’d make a blackberry crumble with all the fruits we picked. It made me think of that memory––something I think back to very fondly.

Holden: I hope this book sparks feelings and emotion… maybe a memory. I hope that the reader can relate in some way to what they see. I think that is probably the most important thing for me in any of my illustrations. I want the reader to connect with the artwork, to be transported somewhere. To be able to pick up on what the characters are feeling and what the illustration is trying to convey: joy, longing, hopefulness, jubilation, contentment. I also hope readers can experience the relationships between characters, the love and care shown between the family members and friends––particularly on the first and last page as a little person has become part of their family.

Clark: We Needed a You offers a profound and foundational message of comfort and belonging that is especially resonant for young readers: It matters so very much that you are here. I hope that children and families find both meaning and joy in the words of this book, and that it inspires many cozy story times and bedtime reading sessions together.

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Remind a child in your life that they are an important part of your world with this artful and lyrical book. We Needed a You is available now.