Discover the secrets of self-care during Children’s Mental Health Week with Sussex based mum and award-winning author Hanna Peckham.
Award-winning author Hannah Peckham, known for her inspiring and emotionally resonant children’s stories, released her latest book, “The Get Well Spell“, on February 1 2024, just in time for Children’s Mental Health Week, 5-12 February. The book, beautifully illustrated by Hanna Tkachenco, is the fifth in Peckham’s collection of award-winning titles, aiming to foster emotional resilience and develop positive mental wellbeing in young readers.
Hannah knows only too well the challenges faced by children and their families when battling illness, after a heart-wrenching year experiencing every moment of her son Bodhi’s fight against leukaemia. A little over a year on from his initial diagnosis in November 2022, Hannah releases “The Get Well Spell” hoping that it will help all children and parents learn the value of taking positive steps to look after their wellbeing. After raising money last year for Leukaemia UK with her previous book, Bronty’s Battle Cry, this time Hannah is supporting Rockinghorse.
Hannah said, “We are so thrilled to be able to donate some copies of ‘The Get Well Spell’ to Rockinghorse Children’s charity. Bodhi has benefited greatly from the wonderful work they do to make hospital a less scary place. ‘The Get Well Spell’ is a reminder of how important it is to be kind to yourself, something both Bodhi and I have had to hold onto during his continued treatment for Leukaemia.”
In ‘The Get Well Spell’, readers embark on a heart-warming journey with Morris, an ordinary but worn out little unicorn, who – though ever-ready to help wherever help is needed – finds himself feeling sad and spent. Determined to feel better, he sets out on a quest to find a fabled ‘Get Well Spell, and on his search encounters a cast of endearing characters, from dragons to mermen and trolls. The narrative is enriched by the wisdom of Wilf, a young elf who serves as Morris’s guide, and helps Morris understand that true magic isn’t always found in faraway spells but in the tender care we give ourselves.
‘The Get Well Spell’ is not only a delightful story but a gentle guide for young minds and parents alike, emphasizing the importance of being aware of our own mental well-being and developing a tool kit to help us look after our own and others mental health.
In conjunction with the book launch, Hannah and Award Publications are proud to partner with Rockinghorse. Continuing the tradition of giving back, a “Buy One, Gift One” initiative will run throughout February. By purchasing a copy of “The Get Well Spell,” at key Sussex independent bookshops, readers can help us support children throughout the county, sharing awareness of simple ways to boost positive mental health and well-being with families that need it most.
Rockinghorse CEO Donna Holland said, “At Rockinghorse we know the importance of wellbeing in supporting sick and disabled children. For children going into surgery, their mental health and wellbeing can impact on the overall outcome of their surgery. Good wellbeing for young people can mean getting better faster and more effectively. For families dealing with a difficult diagnosis, good mental health can help them cope with all the challenges they will face. Wellbeing saves lives. So, we fund and deliver lots of incredible wellbeing projects and programmes that save lives.
“The Get Well Spell is a wonderful book – supporting children to understand the importance of emotional resilience and developing positive mental wellbeing. We want to thank Hannah and Bodhi for creating a beautiful story that supports children and supporting Rockinghorse Children’s Charity’s work. We’re really looking forward to the book reading at the children’s hospital – activities like these bring much needed joy and relief to the children and families in hospital.”
As well as delivering a special session for children and families at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital for Rockinghorse, Hannah will be reading from The Get Well Spell and running activities for young readers at The Book Nook, Hove on Saturday 10 February at 11am, Bags of Books in Lewes on 12th February at 10.30am and at Steyning Bookshop on Friday 16th February at 11am.
