More to Books

The Magic within You by Alessandra Amico-Jones

I believe that there is MORE TO BOOKS than Reading and that’s so true with this book.

Alessandra A
How did your book come about?

The Magic within You by Alessandra Amico-Jones

The story of my book is an interesting one because… I never expected to write a book!
After gaining my Qualification in Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT Tapping), after seeing the huge positive impact it had on me, and after seeing the positive effect it was having on my children, I decided that I wanted to spread the message of EFT Tapping to Primary Schools, making children (and adults) aware of this funny but super powerful technique that can help them release stress and pent up emotions.
I decided I wanted to go to speak to Primary School, during Assemblies, doing workshops with them, showing them the technique.
I knew that at some point, as it often happens, I would have been asked the question: “How did you get into EFT Tapping?”
If an adult asks me that question, I have no problem in telling them the story of my life… how when I was 16 years old I lost my mum in a car accident and how for 20 years I carried that grief and that pain in my heart because I didn’t know what to do with it…
But if a child would have asked that question… I wasn’t convinced that telling them my story would have been beneficial… I knew I needed to tell my story but in a softer way…
So I stopped and had a think…
And then an idea popped into my mind: “I am going to write a little story about a little girl who faces some challenges but thanks to EFT Tapping, she is able to regain her happiness and confidence! And when a child asks, I can always refer to it and tell that softer version!”
And so I started writing this “story”…
The words came easily and the tapping sequence was simple but powerful and it illustrated well how to practice the technique…
45 minutes and I was done writing.
I stopped, I looked at what I did and this new thought came to mind:
“Hmmmmm… I think I just wrote a children’s book!!!”
I was shocked and ecstatic at the same time!
I wasn’t planning on writing a book! But I just did!
I knew I needed pictures to go with the book, but I didn’t know any children’s book illustrators…
I went on the internet, I typed in “children’s book illustrators” and I was presented with a few Freelance illustrators.
I looked at their work, but I wasn’t feeling it… and then I found her… the lovely Febry, the illustrator whose work represented fully the emotions I was trying to express! I immediately fell in love with her way of drawing, I contacted her (she lives on the other side of the world!) and she agreed to illustrate my book! I was soooo happy!
We started to work together pretty much immediately, the back and forward with ideas was very smooth, I decided to go down the self-publish way and within a month and a half from writing down the original story, I was holding a copy of my book in my hands!
I wasn’t planning on writing a book… but the book came to me!
After that I decided to write an Italian version of it (Italian is my mother tongue after all), and now both the English and the Italian version are available on Amazon.

What do readers learn from your book?

After reading my book, people learn that emotions are part of us, we don’t have to be scared of them or label us with them… and within us, we have the power to overcome them and make ourselves feel better again, that is the magic within you! And we can do this by using this simple (yet very effective) technique called EFT Tapping, that gets described in the book.
The story of Joy is my personal story of 20 years of trauma, but put in a very simple and friendly way, where every child and adult can see themselves in. The story shows both the trauma and the healing and shows how everyone can help themselves feeling better!
The book can be used to overcome sad situations, to acknowledge difficult feelings, to let go of the past, to find peace and, just because it’s in the form of a children’s book, it doesn’t mean it’s for children only, many adults have purchased the book and tell me how much it has helped them let go of their painful past and find peace in the present.

What’s next?

I would love the book to reach every single child in the World!
I know it’s a bold claim, but I really feel it would help so much the new generations to know they can help themselves navigate life and that support (from others or even from themselves) is always at hand -literally!-
I have worked with several local Primary Schools and I would love to carry on my Primary School visits to read the book and let children and adults know about EFT Tapping and give them an extra tool to help them overcome life’s obstacles.
I would love to see my book gifted to every Primary School child under a Government Mental Health initiative!

Website:https://alessandraamicojones.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alessandra.amicojones
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alessandra_amicojones/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alessandra-amico-jones-530006195/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BB5S5D6S

Disability, Inclusion and Friendship- Meet Compost the cat by Nicola Wood

After interviewing Nicola about Rosie’s book in the last blog, it is also wonderful to share all about her children’s picture book series, The Adventures of Compost- Compost the Cat and Compost at the Zoo.

How did the book come about?

The Adventures of Compost grew from a very real place. When Nicola was younger, a family friend had a cat called Compost. Like many children, Nicola loved writing stories, but those early ideas never quite found a way to become something more.

Two books in a bag- ‘Compost the Cat’ and ‘Compost at the Zoo’

Years later, everything changed. Nicola could no longer work in a children’s day nursery due to long Covid. During that period of loss and adjustment, Compost the Cat was born again—this time as a literary character. Writing became a way to reconnect with creativity, purpose, and the joy of storytelling.

Nicola has always had a strong interest in disability and inclusion, shaped in part by her own lived experience of disability. It was important to her that these values were reflected in the stories. That’s why both books focus on disability, inclusion, and friendship—showing children that everyone is different, everyone belongs, and kindness and understanding matter.

What do readers learn from the book?

Readers learn that everyone is different—and that those differences are something to be respected and celebrated. Through Compost’s adventures, children are introduced to ideas of disability, inclusion, and friendship in a warm, accessible way.

The books help readers understand that some people (and animals!) may move, communicate, feel, or experience the world differently, and that this doesn’t make them less capable or less worthy of kindness. Instead, it shows how patience, empathy, and listening can help friendships grow stronger.

Most of all, readers learn that it’s okay to be yourself. Compost shows that you don’t have to change who you are to belong—you just need understanding, compassion, and a little curiosity about others.

What is next for the author?

Nicola is continuing to develop The Adventures of Compost series, with more books planned that expand Compost’s world of kindness, curiosity, and inclusion. Future stories will introduce new characters and situations that gently explore disability, difference, emotions, and friendship, helping children see themselves and others reflected on the page.

Alongside her work as an author, Nicola continues her role at Taylor & Wood Publishing, an established self-publishing house committed to inclusive, meaningful storytelling. The publishing house supports a range of creative projects, working with authors to bring thoughtful, accessible books into the world—particularly those that champion underrepresented voices and real-life experiences.

Together, Nicola’s ongoing writing and her work with Taylor & Wood Publishing show a clear commitment to stories that matter: stories that comfort, include, and empower readers of all ages.

www.theadventuresofcompost.co.uk

www.compostsadventures.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/TheAdventuresofCompost

The Nightshaders Adventures by Rosie Yates.

How did the book come about?

Rosie is a child with a life-changing condition- one that affects her body, energy and the way she experiences the world. It brings daily challenges that most people never have to think about: fatigue, limitations on independence, daily seizures and barriers that can make dreams feel distant or even unreachable.

Living with a condition like Rosie’s doesn’t just affect health — it affects opportunity.

Without the right support, Rosie would have faced:

Fewer chances to explore her creativity
Limited access to experiences that nurture confidence and self-belief
Adults unintentionally focusing on what can’t be done, rather than what can
A risk of her voice being softened, redirected, or lost altogether

Like many children with complex needs, Rosie could easily have been encouraged to cope rather than create.

But Rosie didn’t just want to cope. She wanted to be an author.
Nicola is a carer for Rosie and when Rosie said she wanted to become an author, Nicola didn’t see a barrier.

As an author and publisher, Nicola understood that stories aren’t just entertainment. They are identity, legacy, and proof of voice. She recognised that if Rosie didn’t have someone willing to step in, advocate, adapt, and truly listen, that dream could quietly disappear.

Instead of allowing Rosie’s condition to define the limits of what was possible, Nicola reshaped the process around Rosie:

Making space for her imagination to lead
Working at a pace that respected Rosie’s needs
Ensuring Rosie’s ideas were taken seriously, not simplified or sidelined
Turning a dream into something tangible — a real book, with real ownership

It was about believing Rosie was already an author — she just needed someone to say ‘Yes I believe in you and we can create this dream.’
Because someone listened — truly listened — Rosie didn’t just get a story.

She gained:

Confidence in her voice
Proof that her ideas matter
A sense of achievement that belongs to her
Something lasting that says: I was here. I created this.

For a child with a life-changing condition, that kind of affirmation is powerful. It shifts how the future feels. It replaces “maybe not” with “what next?”

The Nightshaders Adventures exists because Rosie was brave enough to share her dream — and because Nicola refused to let that dream fade into the background.

This book is more than a story.
It’s a reminder that when the right adult steps forward, a child’s world can widen instead of shrink.

What do the readers learn from the book?

The Nightshaders Adventures gently teaches readers that big feelings and big adventures can exist side by side.

Through the flying dogs and their nighttime journeys, readers learn that:

Dreams are valid, no matter who you are or what challenges you live with. Wanting something — like becoming an author — is the first act of bravery.
Everyone needs support, and needing help is not a weakness. The story shows how trust, teamwork, and listening to one another make difficult moments easier to face.
Courage doesn’t always mean being fearless. Sometimes it means trying anyway, even when things feel uncertain or overwhelming.
Differences are not problems to fix. The characters show that every individual brings something valuable, and that the world becomes richer when those differences are respected.
Hope can exist even in hard moments. The book doesn’t pretend challenges disappear, but it shows that joy, imagination, and connection can still grow alongside them.

At its heart, The Nightshaders Adventures reminds readers — especially children — that their voice matters, their ideas are worth sharing, and their story deserves space in the world.

What is next for the author?

For Rosie, becoming an author isn’t the end of the journey — it’s the beginning.

Having seen her ideas take shape and become a real book, Rosie now knows that her voice matters and that her imagination has a place in the world. What comes next is about continuing to nurture that confidence: exploring new ideas, developing characters, and discovering where her creativity wants to go next.

Future projects may grow slowly and look different from traditional paths — shaped around Rosie’s needs, energy, and wellbeing — but the important thing is that the door to storytelling is now open. Writing is no longer a distant dream; it’s something Rosie does.

For Nicola, the work continues too. As an author and publisher, she remains committed to championing young voices, especially those who might otherwise be unheard. Supporting Rosie has reinforced a belief that stories can be life-changing when children are given time, trust, and genuine creative ownership.

Together, the next chapter is about possibility — more stories, more imagination, and more proof that with the right support, dreams don’t have to stay dreams.

Some adventures don’t end on the last page.

www.nightshaders.co.uk

www.twpublishing.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574053023703

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087545689030

MORE TO nursery rhymes around the world

It is with great pleasure that this blog interviews Gaitree, who I met at Nursery World and Childcare and Education Expo.

It was an honour to be one of the first to hear of her amazing concept to bring learning to life through poems and nursery rhymes from around the world.

How did your book come about?

After working for 10 years in the childcare industry, I have come across a lot of cultures and families from around the world. And this book is meant to celebrate languages that we have come across. My initial research did not come across this unique concept for a book. This is how I decided to embark on this journey.

What do the children learn?

Using the ABC as a framework, this fun concept incorporates learning and passion for other cultures and languages.Through this book, we wanted to showcase the childhood of many of us. Languages are not just words, they embody the traditions, the cultures, the sweet memories as we grew up. With this compilation, our intention is to bring the global community together as a celebration of unity.
Nursery rhymes remind us of our own childhood. We grew up singing and listening to them. Reading them as an adult feels like a joyous reminiscence, and brings the pride of sharing them with this generation and many more to come. This piece of work is indeed a celebration of our childhood, our children, our world… and how languages connect us all.
This book is a celebration of World Languages, our childhood memories associated with these nursery rhymes, let’s celebrate our future generation and hope this book brings joy and fond memories for all readers, old and young.

What is next?

Once this book is successful, I intend to work on edition 2 which will showcase another 26 languages.

You can find more information on this book on our website-

Visit the website

The MORE TO books blog is an extension of the first book in the MORE TO Series: There’s More to Books than Reading- how to help your child bring stories to life, which shares books and activities for across the Early Years Foundation Stage to bring learning to life.

Buy the MORE TO books book

More to Kids Book Review Podcast with Krish

I had the honour of meeting Krish at my book launch in September 2023. It is no secret that I love books and my first book, ‘There’s More to Books than Reading’ really shines through in Krish’s podcast. He shares what other children learn from kids books and his reviews. I interviewed him on how it started.

How did Kids Book Review Podcast start?

I love Lego and enjoy building my own designs. When I was seven, I really wanted to make a YouTube channel to showcase my Lego creations. My father was hesitant to the idea about the exposure on social media, then I suggested reviewing books on a podcast show, and he loved it. He’s happy that I read so many books, and I get to share my love for them with the whole wide world – win win!

What do other children learn from Kids Book Review Podcast?

Kids can learn about a variety of captivating books and stories from across the world. Apart from sharing my enthusiasm for my favourite reads, I also bring in authors for interviews to talk about their inspiration and creative process behind the featured books on the podcast. I also include kids from all around the globe to review the books with me. It’s like having a global book club, where we discuss our favourite parts, favourite characters, and what we’ve learned from each story.

What is your favourite thing about reading?

It is the incredible feeling of experiencing a whole new world every time I read a book. I get to be part of amazing adventures with the characters – like being a superhero, a detective, a bird watcher, a spy, a knight, or even a wizard! It’s so much fun because I can become whatever I want, and the possibilities are endless.

What is your favourite book and why?

Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban is my favourite book. The magical world and the adventures that friends Harry, Ron and Hermione go on this book is just exciting! There were lot of surprises and unexpected twists, I couldn’t put the book down and finished it in one go.

Who is your favourite author and why?

I’ve read lots of books, and there are many authors I love. Roald Dahl is my absolute favourite because his books are what got me into reading in the first place!

If you could interview any author, who would it be and what question would you ask?

Roald Dahl! I’d ask him how he came up with all those amazing characters in his stories.

Please add any social media links and website links.

Visit the podcast

Head to Insta and Follow Krish!

Instagram link

More to Moose-taches at Christmas

I had the joy of e-meeting Emily Lloyd-Gale on ‘Doing the School Run with your Children’s book’- an amazing Facebook group ran by Isobel Kent.

As an author myself, I love to share and uplift other authors, and I especially resonate with Emily in that, my books also feel like my babies too!

It was wonderful to interview Emily about her Christmas book and hear about Maurice too.

How did your story ‘The Moose That Saved Christmas’ come about?

It’s quite simple really, after writing my first book ‘Mighty Maurice’, a story based on my own experiences of bullying in school, and it being really well received by schools and children, I really wanted to write a story about Maurice and his friends that is just a super fun and thrilling adventure.

That is where my new book ‘The Moose That Saved Christmas’ came from. I wanted to create a longer rhyming story with all his moose-tached friends, and a few extra animal creature thrown in for children to find.

It hasn’t been at all easy though. Everything that could’ve gone wrong, did go wrong, from my printers in Stockport closing down, to having to find a new illustrator……it all happened! Despite those challenges, this book has come out so well, and my illustrator, Lorna Humphreys has just been so incredible that now it’s here, I love this book like it’s my own child.

What do children learn from your book?

The main themes in this book are friendship, teamwork and kindness. I feel that they are such important topics for children and it’s important for them to see these attributes in books that they read and hear, and I hope, in reading my books, they are encouraged to practise them in day to day life.

There is also snail that appears in the book (he’s also my publisher mark) that I really love. I named him Sunny, and when I visit schools, I tell the children the story behind him.

The story….

When I was at university, (I have a degree in hand embroidery) there was his huge embroidery on the wall in the studio. I remember being show it, and in the cover was this tiny little hand embroidered snail. I was told by the team that it was there to show the dedication, patience and perseverance it took to create the artwork.

I couldn’t think of anything better to represent what I put into each and every book, and what everyone must do to achieve their goals. Children always respond so positively to that story, that I know I made the right choice.

What is next for you?

I get asked this question all the time. For the meantime at least, I’m going to have a break from writing.

The new book, although it has turned out better than I could’ve hoped (nearly all the credit must go to Lorna Humphreys for her incredible skill, and patience in translating what was on the page and in my head into such beautiful illustrations) was a long and complicated process, and I need time to reboot and get my creative juices flowing again.

I do have a few ideas for other Maurice story’s where I introduce more of his family as well as his friends though, so watch this space. ☺️

Where can we find more about you?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emily_lloyd_gale/?hl=en

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/mighty.maurice.moose/

Where can we buy the book?

Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/2hWSPQf

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/LloydGaleBooks

More to Bedtime at Christmas

It was so lovely to e-meet Emily Dyson on ‘Doing the School Run with your Children’s book’- a wonderful Facebook group ran by Isobel Kent.

As an author myself, I love supporting other authors, especially because I know there’s More To Books than Reading, and each author has their own story behind why they wrote their book. I interviewed Emily on how her Christmas story book came about.

How did your story come about?

The first lines of Isn’t It Time You Went to Bed? came into my head on a Christmas visit to my family. There was a super moon that evening. It looked huge and very close as I looked out the car window. The first lines just popped into my head and the story grew from there.

What do children learn from your book?

They find out they aren’t alone when it comes to being too excited to sleep on Christmas Eve. I think they identify with Rachel, the character in the book (based on my niece).

I love books and I want all children to love them too. I’d like them to know that books can be fun to read and share.

What is next for you?

I followed Isn’t It Time You Went to Bed? with my second book, Animal Parade. It’s great fun to share and read aloud. Playing with words, rhyming and alliteration make me happy and this book is packed full.

I am currently working on a few more children’s stories and a book of poems for children too.

Where can we find you?

You can find me at

Follow Emily on Facebook

My books are available by messaging my page directly or via Amazon at the following link:

Isn’t it Time You Went to Bed? https://amzn.eu/d/93c5SLR

Animal Parade https://amzn.eu/d/fpRQ3BK

More to Carrots at Christmas

With my new book, More to Mealtimes, encouraging children to eat a rainbow, when e-met Liz Hedgecock, I was intrigued by the Christmas Carrot. I interviewed Liz about her children’s story.

Buy the book

How did your Christmas book come about?

I mostly write contemporary and historical mystery novels for adults, but occasionally I write stories for children. I have two kids who are now teenagers, and I also tutor English part-time in a primary school. My picture book A Christmas Carrot, illustrated by Zoe Harmon, was inspired by two things. The first was wondering if I could pull off a modern, non-religious retelling of the Dickens classic A Christmas Carol which would be suitable for children. The second was my hatred of brussels sprouts, which lots of people think of as a Christmas vegetable – probably because no one eats them at any other time of year. When you think about it, carrots are far more Christmassy – the snowman’s nose, the reindeer’s carrot. So this book is also an attempt to establish the carrot as the true Christmas veg!

More to Liz

Liz Hedgecock grew up in London, England, did an English degree, and then took forever to start writing.

Now Liz travels between the nineteenth and twenty-first centuries, murdering people. To be fair, she does usually clean up after herself.

Liz’s various mystery series are available in ebook and paperback.

Liz lives in Cheshire with her husband and two sons, and when she’s not writing or child-wrangling you can usually find her reading, messing about on Twitter, or cooing over stuff in museums and art galleries. That’s her story, anyway, and she’s sticking to it.

Find more about Liz’s Children’s books

Click here

Follow Liz on Social media

http://www.facebook.com/LizHedgecockWrites

Tweets by lizhedgecock

More to Jennifer Burkinshaw

Books for our older readers are just as important as for our younger ones because whether they already have a love of reading, or need something else that isn’t revision or screen time, down time is just as important as learning, but the best thing about fiction books is that you can learn and relax at the same time.

I interviewed the lovely Jennifer about her young adult books with protagonists of 16 and 17.

Please tell us about your books?

My two young adult +++ novels ( I sincerely believe YA is just the starting age as just as many adults as teenagers read mine) came out just within a year of each other so it’s been a hectic and exciting time!

Igloo was my debut – a coming-of-age with romance set in the French Alps and Lancashire; Happiness Seeker, which came out on 1 Nov 23, couldn’t be more different – it’s a thriller-mystery-love story set over one week’s school trip to the lethal Morecambe Bay. I’d written Happiness Seeker over some years before Igloo was published so was over the moon when my publisher, Beaten Track, offered to publish it, following nine months of intense revision.

It’s setting that sparks off a story with me, that gives opportunities and inevitabilities for the plot which follows. Both books have a first person, strong female narrator, Nirvana, 16 in Igloo and Alithea 17, in Happiness Seeker.

The inspiration for Igloo was the tiny village in Haute Savoie in the French Alps where my family and I were fortunate to own a small chalet for some years, whilst we lived in France. My sons used to build igloos, which I began to see as a place as refuge and haven for those who use them. I thought, What if you met someone in a space as small as an igloo, and thus the story gradually grew. I very much wanted it to be a Christmas/winter story as I’m a big Christmas fan, so it features lots of snow, mountains, sledging, snow-shoeing, husky dog rides and midnight trysts under shooting stars. At the same time, it involves some elements of philosophy and some deep themes about having the courage to be your true self when your family and school have different intentions for you.

Happiness Seeker is set in Grange-over-Sands in Morecambe Bay, a place I’ve visited since being a small child, and more and more frequently once my parents moved there. I gradually learnt more and more about this unique and glorious tidal estuary which has offered many people livelihoods through fishing over the years but has also taken hundreds of lives. As a Drama and English teacher, I thought, what if – what if the group of teenagers wasn’t all sensible like my students, but tore up every rule in the book. I also gathered a dark and serious issue at the heart of the book, with which the anti-slavery charities Unseen and Hope for Justice advised me on.

So, it’s probably apparent in terms of plot and genres that my novels couldn’t be more different: it’s only a little spoilery to say that Igloo has a suitably happy ending, whereas Happiness Seeker is a tragedy, involving a dark and serious political problem. But I do have my own voice and between us, my publisher and I came up with.

Immerse yourself

Feel intensely

Think anew

What do your readers learn from your books?

I’d like to think my readers learn from both books about the courage, costs and rewards of true to yourself and being your best self.

It’s taken me some years to come to publication, with the small but brilliant Beaten Track Publishing and I’m enjoying every moment of it. I take both books into secondary schools and am relishing combining my English teaching expertise with my writer’s training ( through an MA in Creative Writing at MMU and mentoring with the Golden Egg Academy) in some specialist writing workshops.

To find out more, click on the website below or follow Jennifer on social media.

Website: https://jennifer-burkinshaw.com/

IG: @jennifer.burkinshaw

X: @JenBurkinshaw

Tiktok: @jenbwriter

More to Vie Portland

I really believe that there is More to Books than Reading and I love to support other authors. It is an honour to interview Vie- sharing her books on inclusivity and disability.

Tell us about your books

My children’s books are inclusive children’s picture books, where Emily, the main character, goes on lots of wonderful imaginary adventures. So far, two Emily books have been published, “Where Are We Going?” and “Who Am I?”; I have more Emily stories written and other books for children, and the general theme is inclusion, acceptance, and feeling good about ourselves, which ties in with my work in my Community Interest Company, where I teach self-esteem and confidence to children, young people, and women, in schools, groups, libraries, organisations, and one to one.

I’ve also published “La Vie Est Belle”, which is partly my story of going from hating who I was and how I looked, and why, to showing how I taught myself to celebrate everything I am.

I recently compiled a book of stories from the EB community, “Extraordinary Butterflies”, where people that live with the rare disability Epidermolysis Bullosa could share their stories of living with the condition, including myself. Everyone involved with the book lives with EB in one way or another, and our cover was designed by two girls, aged 10 and 11. Several children have contributed pieces, as well as parents, partners, and those of us that have the disability.

How did they come about?

I had two lines in my head for years, which feature in “Where Are We Going?” I’ve worked with children most of my life, in one form or another, so I have spent a lot of time at bus stops and train stations, because buses and trains are exciting. I have heard so many children ask their adults where they were going, or wanting to have a conversation about the bus or train we are waiting for, only to be told to be quiet, or “I’ve already told you!” This isn’t at all about moaning about parents/carers, because most do a wonderful job, however, we’re taught to be imaginative in primary schools, then told to grow up and not be silly in high schools, so lots of people lose their confidence in being imaginative, so can’t think of fun answers quickly. I wanted to show that, in much the same time as it takes to say, “I’ve already told you where we are going!”, you can say that you’re going off to sail a rainbow sea in a boat full of bubbles. Children understand imagination and they know that we can visit so many places in our minds.

Then, just before the pandemic, a lovely friend, Dr. Jennifer Jones, said I should write a book to establish my expertise in my field. I started on “La Vie” and, because I was letting that creativity flow out of me, those two lines came to mind and I started writing the children’s books, too.

What do your readers’ learn from your books?

I hope that my messages come across in a fun, caring way. I believe passionately in inclusion, in making the world a kinder, happier, more accepting, place, and that comes across in all of my books.

It’s only around 4% of books that feature a main character with a disability, and the majority of those are raising awareness of the disability, which is important. There are other things to consider, though. The majority of the representations of disability are people in wheelchairs yet, in reality, only 8% of the disabled community use wheelchairs; more of us use other aides or none at all, yet people are being shown that the wheelchair is the only accepted form of disability. The other thing to consider is that studies have shown that most children will not make friends with someone who is different to them, whether that is size, shape, colour, disability, or disfigurement, so, as wonderful as awareness raising books are, they are also pointing out our differences. With disability hate crimes rising, these are things that need to be considered. In my Emily books, Emily has a visible difference but it’s not part of the story; the first time her difference is mentioned is in the discussion questions at the end of the book. I want readers to see that we all have far more in common than that which makes us different, and seeing Emily have lots of wonderful adventures will help with that.

In my books for adults, I share about the importance of inclusion and acceptance, too. I believe that, by being kinder to, and more accepting of, ourselves, we’ll be kinder to, and more accepting, of others.

To find more about Vie and her books, click the links below:

My website is; https://www.vieness.co.uk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VieNessCIC

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/VieNessCIC

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/VieNessCIC