Children's books are this Fairy Meadow author's tribute to her late husband

Eight months after Fairy Meadow woman Dr Danielle Camer lost her 37-year-old husband Clint to cancer, his spirit lives on – in an insomniac sloth, a cheeky squirrel and soon, a free-spirited preschool fashionista.

Danielle, who has raised over $10,000 for Melanoma Institute Australia since 2023 in her husband’s memory says he is ever-present in her side hustle as a children’s book author.

Her first book, Sophie Won’t Sleep, was published two years to the day before his death. A copy at home includes a handwritten message written from his palliative care unit for Sophie: I’ll always be your daddy sloth.

“Sophie won’t sleep is about our family of three,” she says.

“From babyhood our daughter Sophie would sleep the night through, but go to bed very late and just not nap at all during the day, which is unusual for small children. I thought, wouldn’t it be funny to write about a sloth who didn’t like to sleep – another anomaly.

“My husband and I would perform this story for Sophie with soft toys and the two of them started encouraging me to turn it into a book.”

Sophie Won’t Sleep has since received 10 prestigious international book awards, and was featured on a billboard in Times Square.

Writing children’s literature has been a departure for Danielle, who is a leading medical writer and creative director in Australian pharmaceutical and healthcare advertising.

She now juggles the lot as a single mum to seven-year-old Sophie. Her second book Squirrel Takes the Cake follows a young squirrel who must learn the hard lesson of sharing, and is due for release in early August.

“I like to write picture books with a bit of humour that’s relatable to parents, caregivers, and teachers because I want to give them a giggle, too,” she says.

“They’re the kinds of things Clint and I would have a laugh about together.”

But it’s her third book, expected to be released in 2025 that Danielle believes is her greatest tribute to her late husband, who was her high school sweetheart from age 15.

Before he died, Clint created a brief for a children’s picture book he wanted to write with Sophie. During his last few days in palliative care, he turned the brief over to Danielle.

With Sophie’s help, Danielle whipped up a draft of That Doesn’t Go within a day. Within a month of his passing, Danielle received a publishing contract for this story.

“It’s based on a catchphrase and a bit of a joke within our family. My husband used to do daycare drop-offs and pickups, and I’d often get these photos of Sophie wearing a mish-mash of clothing during the day from daycare and think, ‘No, no, no. That doesn’t go!'” Danielle laughs.

“This catchphrase features in the book. But it’s all in fun. It’s about the different ways children explore and discover their individuality.

“Clint and Sophie will both be credited for their role in creating this book.”

For all her efforts, Danielle has been named a finalist for the AusMumpreneur Awards in three categories: the Author Award, Overcoming the Odds Award and People’s Choice – Health & Wellbeing.

Presented by The Women’s Business School, the awards celebrate and recognise the growing number of women who successfully balance motherhood and business in a way that suits their life and family.

Danielle says the award provides some validation of her efforts to live the life her husband can no longer have to the full.

“In a way it feels like his legacy lives on through my picture books,” she says.

Squirrel Takes The Cake joins Sophie Won’t Sleep for purchase at booksellers Australia-wide, including locally at Collins Booksellers Thirroul and Sensory Studio Fairy Meadow from Monday 5 August.

For publishing updates on That Doesn’t Go visit Danielle Camer’s website or follow her Instagram. To support her at the AusMumpreneur Awards, vote for her in the People’s Choice – Health & Wellbeing by Friday 2 August.