The little steps

On a beach in Brittany, a young woman goes for a walk. She does not yet know it, but she is carrying life within her. Year after year, accompanied by her child, she continues her walks along the seashore. Gradually, activities change: the little boy grows up and becomes more independent, while his mother grows older.

Beautifully illustrated in pencil, this book gently and poetically explores parental love and the cycle of life.

Why this book stands out:
• A gentle, poetic text expressing the emotion of watching one’s child grow
• Hand-drawn illustrations with the feel of a family photo album, highlighting the strength of the bond between parent and child
• A luminous seaside setting, familiar to both Breton authors, offering young readers a rich sensory experience
• A beautiful birth album to give to new parents

Publication date: May 12, 2026

Author & Illustrator

Manech (author)

Holding a Master’s degree in children’s literature and working as a primary school teacher, Manech knows both children and the books written for them. When imagination calls too insistently, this Breton author retreats to a field where he cultivates his stories—sometimes in prose, sometimes in verse—philosophical, poetic, and occasionally playful. He is the author of two picture books published by Éditions Cépages: Petit radeau (2018) and L’air de rien (2022).

Morgane Bellec (illustrator)

An illustrator based in the Côtes-d’Armor region, Morgane Bellec has never forgotten her childhood passion for drawing. From art workshops to Parisian graphic design studios, she has developed a distinctive, sensitive, and gentle style. Her pastel tones invite travel and contemplation. Previously published by Voce Verso and Le Diplodocus, Les Petits Pas is her first picture book with Éditions Cépages.