A Belfast primary school teacher is hoping his first novel will help children with managing their emotions and mental health.
Joe Richardson has over a decade of teaching experience, and set out to write a series of children's novels that kids would love and that could be used as learning tools.
'The Animal in Amy' is the first book in this series. It follows resident animal expert, 11-year-old Amy Cupples, as she attempts to solve the mystery of missing children, all the while coming to grips with her own set of newly emerging 'super' powers.
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Joe first felt a desire to write a children's novel while teaching youngsters, as he always felt the best way to get a child interested in reading is to be enthusiastic.
He said: "In the classroom I love chatting with my pupils about their current reading books, be that a personal reading book or a novel assigned in class.
"The boys and girls reciprocate this interest and are eager to read more, knowing that I have knowledge of the book and will be able to share their interest. That’s when I first had ambitions of releasing my own book that I could discuss and share with the children. And here we are.
"Teaching in key stage 2, we explore many topics that focus on animals. The children always display a genuine interest in animal facts, and the more unusual the better.
"For example, did you know that a turtle can breathe through its bottom? Reviews from readers have commented on the love of animal facts in the story and how Amy comes to adopt some of their unique abilities."
In recent years, there has been a huge push and focus upon the mental health of children including the introduction of more regular lessons into the school curriculum designed to develop a child's resilience.
Joe said he set out to explore such themes in The Amy in Animal, hoping to do so in a fun and engaging fashion in a big to teach children strategies and methods to regulate emotions. Throughout the book, when in a high emotional state, Amy exhibits abilities usually only seen in animals.
This gave Joe the opportunity to utilise some of the techniques explored in the classroom, and provide a working example of how children can recognise and manage their own emotions and mental health.
"A parent commented that her anxious child began using a breathing board technique to calm down and relax, after reading how Amy used it in the story, I was immensely proud to say the least," Joe added.
"Early feedback from children, parents and teachers have been phenomenal. All the reviews online have been glowing, and the novel has even been picked up for use in six different primary schools already."
The Animal in Amy is designed for children aged 8 to 12-years-old. Joe is in the throes of the sequel ‘The Animal in Amy’s Mirror’ and has plans to complete the story with a third and final instalment.
For further information on how to purchase the book, a list of shops that stock it, and to download free teaching resources to accompany the novel, visit www.theanimalinamy.com
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