It’s a life cycle familiar to many. A young couple marries. They grow their family by adding a pooch to the homestead and Fido becomes the center of attention. He may even make an appearance on the family holiday card, bookended by his adoring “mom and dad.” A few years later, husband and wife muster the courage to have an actual child and then comes the question: How to introduce the fur baby to the human baby?
University of Virginia 2012 alumna Kelsey Summer and her husband Spencer followed that very path. They married and soon added Kemba, a labradoodle, to their family. Then, two years ago, they welcomed their son Drayson, named for the street where they married in Richmond.
Kelsey Summer, her husband Spencer and Kemba before Drayson was born. (All photos contributed)
The first step of Drayson’s homecoming was meeting Kemba. Mom and Dad entered their house and immediately approached the smiling labradoodle, letting their beloved dog sniff their new beloved son while two sets of doting grandparents looked on. Yes, Drayson met Kemba before his nanas and papas, and it was love at first lick.
Then Summer had an idea. Why not turn their family story into a children’s book? As she settled into motherhood, the English major wrote “My New Human,” the tale of baby meeting the original “baby” from the point of view of Kemba.
The next thing she knew, “My New Human” was No. 50 in the Amazon’s 100 list of bestselling new children’s books. She was in good company. Jimmy Fallon’s new book, “Nana Loves You More,” was ranked No. 33. Books by Chelsea Clinton and Hillary Duff were Nos. 57 and 93.
“When I saw who else was on the list, I thought, ‘Is this correct?’” she said. “I was just tickled and incredibly humbled that it’s been successful.”
Summer says Kemba is “incredibly patient” with Drayson.
Summer’s book has clearly struck a nerve. Customer reviews on Amazon are glowing.
One five-star rating reads “You wouldn’t know this was Kelsey’s first excursion into the world of writing children’s books. She captured the perspective of her sweet pup perfectly, in a way that is fun for the whole family to read.”
Another says, “We are expecting our first baby and have an adorable dog who we’re trying to get used to the idea of not being our ‘baby’ anymore. I read this book to him and he loved it. In all honesty though, it really helped me see that our pup could love our baby just like the pup in the story!!”
Many other happy customers say “My New Human” is the perfect baby shower gift.
Kemba, Baby Whisperer
Kemba is named for four-time NBA All-Star Kemba Walker. The dog has two years on Drayson, who is turning 2 in a few days. The pair are best buddies.
Kemba and Drayson are inseparable.
“Kemba loves it when Dray has his snacks,” Summer said. Anyone with a dog and a baby knows dogs are built-in Hoovers around a high chair. “He is his shadow when there are snacks,” she laughed.
“Kemba is just incredibly patient,” Summer went on. “Drayson is a sweet, rambunctious-at-times, little boy who will lay on him and can sometimes forget how to be gentle. And Kemba is just incredibly patient with him.”
Summer said she’s thrilled with the illustrations by her collaborator, Lana Lee. “I wanted something whimsical and soft,” she said. “I didn’t want really minute detail. I just wanted something essentially for a baby book. And she just captured it so beautifully.”
It’s all happy endings for Kemba and Drayson. If you’re still not convinced, just read Kemba’s closing lines to Drayson in “My New Human.”
“You’ve truly made a mark upon my heart.
And from your side, I’ll never part.
My love for you will never end,
I’ll love you forever and ever amen.”
Media Contact
University News Senior Associate Office of University Communications
jak4g@virginia.edu (434) 243-9935
Article Information
December 25, 2024
