The Village

Charlie’s mum isn’t feeling so well, yet people keep visiting their home.

As he learns about his mum’s cancer treatments and sees how people gather around to help out, he begins to understand what it means to have a ‘village’.

About the Author

Katrina Lau Hammond is a mum to a seven-year-old perfectionist and a strong-willed five-year-old. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 34 years old when her youngest child was still a baby. She searched around for resources to help explain cancer to her then three-year-old, but couldn’t find anything that quite fit the bill. So, with her lived experience, she decided to write her own.

Katrina was diagnosed with another breast cancer on the other side seven months later. This gave her even further insight into the impact of cancer treatment on her family, and how a village of friends and family gathered around to support them. She is currently living with metastatic breast cancer, and in between the balance of ongoing treatment, tests, surgeries and child-rearing, Katrina has written a picture book for those bright young minds whose parents have unfortunately received a recent diagnosis.

About the Illustrator

Krista is a freelance illustrator, fine artist and art teacher who lives in Sydney with her partner and mischievous cat. She primarily uses traditional methods for her art, including watercolour, ink and oils. Krista’s art has been featured in books, card games, exhibitions and competitions, but most of all, she enjoys using her pictures to tell stories.