Actress and entrepreneur Eva Mendes will release her debut children's book, "Desi, Mami, and the Never-Ending Worries." The book draws inspiration from her personal family experiences.

Mendes boasts a diverse filmography, from romantic comedies to action films like "Hitch" and "Training Day." Her upcoming picture book is her first venture into the realm of Children's books.

Teaching Children to Overcome Fear

In an exclusive announcement with PEOPLE, Mendes shared that the book 'is a love letter to my kids and yours.' She emphasized teaching children to manage their thoughts positively and prevent worries from taking control. In her home and Desi's, efforts are made to address the perpetual worries and anxieties that everyone experiences, preventing negative thoughts from taking control.

Beautifully illustrated by Abbey Bryant, the story revolves around Desi, a young girl fearful of bedtime monsters. With the guidance of her mother, Desi learns to confront and overcome her nighttime fears. The narrative unfolds as a testament to the power of family collaboration. It will resonate with parents familiar with the universal bedtime struggle.

Mendes, a mother of two daughters, Esmeralda, 9, and Amada, 7, with actor Ryan Gosling, mentioned that the book drew inspiration from their nightly experiences. She hoped that the story of Desi and Mami navigating their fears together would offer relatable insights into her household.

Jean Feiwel, Senior VP and Publisher of Feiwel & Friends, shared that publishing Mendes' debut picture book is a privilege and a joy. The characters of Mami and Desi are relatable and authentic in a world filled with constant worries. The narrative provides insights into understanding and respecting our most intimidating emotions, regardless of age.

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Parenting Journey

The book's origins trace back to Mendes and Gosling's on-screen collaboration in the 2011 film "The Place Beyond the Pines." Gosling, speaking to GQ in 2023, reflected on their on-screen family dynamic, expressing that he could not imagine having kids without Mendes.

Mendes, known for her honesty about parenting, acknowledged being a 'helicopter parent' on "The Kelly Clarkson Show" in 2019. She humorously added that she heard about the term 'bulldozer parenting' and said she is also probably a bulldozing parent. 

Bulldozing parenting, according to WebMD, is an approach that seeks to eliminate all obstacles to shield children from pain, failure, or discomfort. With helicopter parenting, Mendes emphasized the need to closely monitor their children's activities due to the high stakes involved in parenting. Mendes and Gosling found humor in these parenting terms and recognized the challenges of balancing protection and independence.

Mendes will also join the Bluey Book Reads, a series featuring reading stories about Bluey and her family from the popular animated series, blending off-screen narration with visuals from Bluey storybooks and live-action stills. Mendes will be reading "Mum School," and her episode is scheduled to be released on May 3. 

The book is now available for pre-order and will officially be released on September 17 in English and Spanish.

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