273 Amazing Days

This book explains the beginnings of human life before birth, telling the story through iPad paintings, hand-drawn sketches, short poems, and brief passages of text. It is written for young children aged from about eight to twelve years. Some may wish to read it with an older person, and some may not. The story is remarkable. Most of the poems are haiku, a form which consists of seventeen syllables. The number seventeen reflects a combination of spirit and order. The remainders of the poems are grooks—short and thoughtful poems. If they wish, young readers may try to write their own poems or make a computer sketch or painting to describe special experiences.

The book deals in a simple manner with concepts such as chromosomes, genes, organ development, labour, and the influences of nature and nurture on the foetus. It celebrates early human life as expressed through art and poetry that is accessible and informative to young people.