A Northumberland teenager will see her artwork in print for the very first time in a book set to give young children a better understanding of their mental health.
Preparing to sit her GCSEs in the aftermath of two tough years marred by the pandemic, Georgia Hutchinson, from Ashington, knows plenty about worries and anxiety. That's why, when school learning mentor and mindfulness instructor Holly Taylor approached her about illustrating a story book designed to equip youngsters with the tools to deal with emotional challenges, she was so eager to help out.
Holly, 37, from Whitley Bay, was inspired to write the book by the birth, in 2020, of her daughter Imogen, whose namesake stars in her book 'The Magic Inside of Me, Featuring Imogen and the Mind Monkeys'. It aims to equip children aged three to seven with simple mindfulness techniques and ideas about mental wellbeing, through the story of a young girl learning to deal with the troublesome 'monkeys' stirring up problems in her mind.
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Holly said: "I looked at my daughter and I though I want to create a world where children know that there are worries and difficulties, but also know they can talk about them. The book empowers them to realise that they have the magic inside of them to cope with these big emotions and worries.
"I hope when Imogen is old enough to understand it she will be really pleased. She's a lovely caring little girl, and very empathic for her age, so I think she'll love it."
Holly came across Georgia through a local online business forum where the teenager was promoting her small business, which sells cards, calendars and other stationery illustrated with her designs, which often centre uplifting and positive ideas.
Georgia said: "I still can't believe that I have actually illustrated a children's book which has been published. I have always loved books and being able to illustrate one which will help young children with their worries is amazing. When I started my little business making hand drawn cards when I was 14 I never thought I’d have expanded my business and be calling myself a book illustrator two years later.
"After building my hand drawn card business up I wanted to experiment with different styles of drawing and I taught myself how to create digital illustrations last summer. In a few weeks I had created a positivity desk calendar, note books, bookmarks and uplifting postcards using my own colourful digital designs.
"Holly and I met through the Northern Lass Lounge, an amazing community of business women supporting each other and she thought my whimsical style of art would be perfect to bring her story to life. I was amazed when Holly asked me to bring her book to life.
"Holly shared her story with me and some initial ideas of images and I came up with the illustrations. It was lovely to work together and an amazing experience. I have learnt so much over the past few months and I'm looking forward to spending time doing more illustrating when I finish my exams."
Holly, who has more mental health-themed storybooks 'in the pipeline', said she'd been especially thrilled to work with the young illustrator as a way to show other young people they can achieve their dreams regardless of their age. Meanwhile Georgia was delighted that her first illustrated book is one that could make a real difference to its readers.
The King Edward VI School student said: "I know all about worries and anxiety, especially at the minute sitting my GCSE exams and I want to support Holly's mission to help children find the magic inside to cope with their feelings. If we can show them how to cope when they are young it will help them so much as they grow up."
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