Victoria Monét is known for her songwriting, her collaborations with artists like Ariana Grande and her own acclaimed albums, including her 2023 breakout success Jaguars II. And now the artist is sharing an exciting new project: a children’s book.
PEOPLE can exclusively reveal that the Grammy winner, 35, will publish her debut picture book next year. Everywhere You Are, featuring illustrations by Alea Marley, will arrive in summer 2025 in both English and Spanish editions.
The lyrical children’s book, aimed toward readers aged 2-5, follows a moon who comforts a young star when they must separate at the end of the night. Monét says that writing Everywhere You Are was a way to accomplish a long-held goal of hers.
“This book means so much to me!,” Monét tells PEOPLE in an email interview. “I love many types of writing from poetry to music, and eventually scripts and it has always been a special dream of mine to write children’s books.”
The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!
The topic of the book is one that’s particularly meaningful to Monét, as well. The book, per its publisher, aims to be a resource for young readers experiencing separation anxiety, and a way of “offering some healing” for parents as well.
Monét welcomed her own daughter, Hazel, with former boyfriend John Gaines in 2021, and says that Everywhere You Are was a way to channel some of her own feelings about motherhood.
“In a way, writing this book healed a portion of naturally occurring mom guilt for not being able to be in two places at once,” the artist says. “I think for a lot of moms, if we had the option, we would spend every waking hour loving on our children in their presence, but for the modern-day working woman, it just isn’t very realistic.”
“I wanted to address it this way so that there would be reinforcement of a mutual understanding between parent and child that no matter how far apart we ever are at any given moment, we are together through love we share for each other!” Monét adds.
Monét and Hazel’s bond extended into Monét’s music in 2024 when Hazel, who is featured on Monét’s song “Hollywood,” was nominated for a Grammy Award. Hazel, now 3, became the youngest person nominated for the award. Monét says that she shared early versions of her new book with her daughter as well.
“Reading the drafts to Hazel gave me a sense of peace, knowing she can understand this sentiment and carry mommy with her wherever she goes,” Monét says. The artist also hopes that Everywhere You Are will be a similar comfort for families everywhere.
“It brings so much joy to know that families will share moments of reflection, understanding and quality time while reading this book for generations to come!” Monét says. “I’m passionate about the subject of the book and explaining it in a way that is digestible for a child. I can’t wait to share it.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Everywhere You Are will be published by Putnam Books for Young Readers on June 24, 2025 and is now available for preorder, wherever books are sold.
Read the full article here
