The award-winning illustrator of Meghan Markle's new book was inspired to draw pictures as a child to cope with his mum's imprisonment.
Meghan has written a children's book titled "The Bench" which centres on the special relationship between a father and son as seen through the mother's eyes, publisher Random House said on Tuesday.
The picture book, published by Random House Children's Books, has been illustrated by award winning artist Christian Robinson, and the audiobook is narrated by the Duchess of Sussex.
The book features joyful illustrations of multi-cultural families and tantalising glimpses of the book's pages were released yesterday along with the announcement.
Christian, 35, from Sacramento, spoke about how he began drawing in order to have 'some say' over his circumstances.
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"Growing up, my mother was in prison for most of my childhood," he told the Today Show.
He said his grandmother took care of him, his brother, two cousins and his aunt as he was growing up in a small one bedroomed apartment in LA.
"We didn't have much space or means and looking back I recognise that creativity, drawing and making pictures, was my way of having some say over my circumstances."
Christian spoke of the power of pictures, and how he feels compelled to tell stories of experiences that look like his experiences.
The author and illustrator of picture books said it's important for him to create pictures that are empowering to as many different children as possible.
Christian spoke of watching The Lion King as a child and having a realisation that people who draw do so for films.
He realised he could create stories through his pictures as well.
Christian wrote on Instagram: "From Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, comes a debut children’s book about the special bond between father and son as told through a mother’s eyes.
"It was an honor to illustrate this book!
"Available wherever books are sold June 8th!"
Meghan's book will be published next month.
"The Bench started as a poem I wrote for my husband on Father's Day, the month after Archie was born,'' Meghan said in a statement.
"That poem became this story."
Meghan said: "My hope is that The Bench resonates with every family, no matter the makeup, as much as it does with mine.”
