Good Morning, Mourning Dove

Another Children's Book Creation Journey

I'm starting on a new adventure of publishing one of my own children's books, Good Mourning, Mourning Dove (title still being considered). This is a story close to my heart with a focus of cohabitation in the city between humans and nature.

I want to share the joy of watching mourning doves brood in my window in the big city and inspire a love of nature and looking closely to see its wonders wherever you are. I will share sketches, process videos and much more along the way to holding a book in my hands and sharing it with the world so you can hold a book in your hands and share with children in your life.

Post 1 — Bars on the window — Yes or No?

I'm starting this journey with the need for your input. Does anyone besides a city dweller, and a perhaps a city dweller who is of, cough, a certain older age know why the top floor of a brownstone in the city has bars?

I don’t know if newer buildings do this, but the 5th floor where we lived (and witness several mourning dove broods take flight from our top floor window) used to have bars. When we moved downstairs to take care of my MIL, the new tenants didn’t want them, so we removed them. But they are/were originally put in place to protect the top floor apartments from burglars and bad guys coming down from the roof. I think this is now old-fashioned so to speak. Fire escape windows all have bars, but others, not necessarily.

I’ve included a sample illustration from the book, to give you a taste and sneak peek and to pose this question: Bars or no bars on the window?

The bars on our window offered a safe place for mourning doves to build their flimsy nest and raise several broods. But now, as I begin the journey of publishing this book, I wonder about the bars and how that will be seen to outside viewers / readers. Okay, so I’m sure kids wouldn’t know, but would any parents reading to their kids know and understand why there are bars on the window?

I could solve the eligibility of a nesting spot with a planter box, or a deeper window sill, or some other means, but I am sort of attached to the bars. It is a unique feature of the city, and this is nature in the city, plus this was my experience so it's authentic. But seriously, I’m open to your thoughts and ideas as I want this book to be something everyone will love and learn from and gain an appreciation of the wonders of nature and looking more closely at life all around, even in a big city such as New York.

Thanks for your help as this exciting journey begins.