It Takes a Village: And Other Essential Truths for New Mothers (Paperback)

Motherhood doesn’t come with a manual - but this is the closest thing. If you’ve ever felt lonely, lost, or overwhelmed, It Takes a Village is the essential parenting guide that blends expert advice with the real stories of mums worldwide - so you never face pregnancy, birth, or postpartum alone.

With a foreword from Lorraine Kelly and her daughter Rosie Smith.

Peanut is the go-to digital village for mums everywhere. For the first time, their collective wisdom has been brought together on the page, making this book unlike any other. It Takes a Village is written by mums, for mums - by women who know exactly how you feel right now, and what you’re going through.
Inside, you’ll discover:

• Unfiltered stories from real mums: Honest, moving accounts from women across the Peanut community, sharing what they wish they’d known about pregnancy, birth, and life with a newborn.

• Expert guidance you can trust: Psychologists, gynaecologists, doulas, and midwives offer compassionate advice, answering the questions every new mum asks - but doesn’t always say out loud.

• Practical tools for every stage: From fertility struggles to the fourth trimester, find reassurance, knowledge, and coping strategies tailored to the realities of motherhood.

• Emotional support when you need it most: Reminders that you’re not alone, that what you’re feeling is valid, and that there’s a village behind you every step of the way.

It Takes a Village is more than just a book - it’s a lifeline for new mums. Combining heartfelt stories with expert insights, it’s the companion you’ll turn to again and again for comfort, clarity, and connection.

Because you are not alone. You never were.

'I love this book, it is full of warmth and reassurance' - Jess Urlichs

'A light in the dark for early motherhood' - Candice Brathwaite

'A powerful book that offers solidarity, truth, and wisdom' - Anna Mathur

About the Author

Michelle Kennedy is the founder and CEO of Peanut, one of the fastest-growing social networking apps for women, listed as Apple’s Trend of the Year 2021 and TIME100’s Most Influential Companies 2022. It Takes a Village is her first book, written and created alongside hundreds of Peanut users from around the world.