Six Little Miracles by Janet Walton Review

Reviewed by Leoni Arbuckle

Being a big fan of autobiographies, this book appealed hugely as it was also about one of my favourite topics… babies! Having recently had a second child myself I was initially worried I wouldn’t have time to read, however this remarkable story had me turning page after page and sacrificing valuable sleep just to read one more chapter and find out what happened next.

Janet, the author and mum of the miraculous sextuplets, tells the heart-warming story of overcoming seemingly impossible obstacles to conceive the family her and her husband, Graham, so desperately wished for.

The story begins at Janet’s childhood when she first realised she may have a problem that would later prevent her ever conceiving naturally. Over the chapters we get to know Janet and are introduced to the family, friends and medical staff that would become Janet’s support network in carrying and raising her daughters. The story is honest and open with Janet sharing the wonderful journey from failed attempts at conceiving to the amazing news that after finally falling pregnant on their last chance, she actually would go on to deliver six healthy daughters. What follows is the love and strength of an incredible dedicated mum-to-be to do her very best for her unborn children and protect then until they could be delivered into the world. The story is filled with a plethora of emotion ranging from sad to happy, despair to hope. There are anecdotes of family life to make the reader smile, laugh and mostly nod in agreement at the trials and tribulations of raising children, except this is to an extreme of six at one time.

Ironically, it is clear that Janet and Graham are a particularly private couple and yet their unique circumstances catapulted them into the limelight and into the hearts of the public.

Maintaining their integrity and that of the girls, they share their lives with the world through the book and televised interviews and documentaries. Reading the book has definitely sparked an interest for me to follow up with other material on the family.

The book is straightforward and easy to read. It feels like your friend is telling you a story and you feel their emotions through the words and pages. The book concluded with the girls grown up and pursuing their chosen careers. Perhaps with more lovely news, but you’d have to read the book to find out what. After raising six girls it was nice to read what Janet and Graham do to fill their time now the girls have flown the rest… you’d think they’d have plenty of time on their hands. And finally the book acknowledges everyone that made the book and its content possible.

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book. It would appeal to a wide audience and those of a particular age probably recall the story from the news.

Rating: 4.5/5

RRP: £7.99 (paperback) / £12.99 (hardback)

Available to buy from Amazon here.