In the early hours of the morning, when Aria was an infant, Alison would nurse and recite Phenomenal Woman by Dr. Maya Angelou to Aria. As Aria grew, she would mumble in between nursing and the cadence in her tone would be that of Phenomenal Woman. Alison was finishing up her first children's book, Super Lucas with her son, Lucas, when she was led to write one with her daughter. Twos with Tootie is a nod to the rhythmic style of poetry and a celebration of all things two for the beloved, Tootie; a nickname given to Aria by her mother, Alison.