Sissy Snagertooth and Phylis, debut children’s book by Exeter-based author Peta Hands, has been named English-language Children’s Book of the Month by the Books Council of Wales.
The book was written during one of the most challenging periods of Peta’s life and has since become part of her efforts to raise awareness and funds for the Lewy Body Society.
“In 2018, my husband was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, and I felt so helpless,” Peta recalls. “Writing became an escape from the dreadful reality of my husband’s illness. I never intended to try to publish Sissy Snagertooth and Phylis, but then I got involved with the Lewy Body Society, and it gave me a sense of purpose.”
Peta began to think of ways of raising awareness and funding for the Lewy Body Society, an organisation dedicated to supporting those affected by the disease.
“Firstly, I came up with ‘A Scarf For Lewy’ – an awareness event in which volunteers were asked to knit thousands of scarves to encircle the Royal Albert Hall. I wanted to do something that anyone could take part in. Something simple, yet meaningful. That’s when it came to me: lots of people can knit a scarf. One scarf alone wouldn’t make much of an impact, but what if hundreds of people joined in? I could stitch them together into something truly spectacular.”
The original plan was to wrap the scarf around the Royal Albert Hall, but the project was delayed during the pandemic. Once the monumental project was finally complete, Peta began looking for other ways to support the cause and decided to try to get her novel published in the hope of raising much-needed funds for the LBS.
The story is about Herbert Long, a boy who is anything but ordinary with his white hair, pale skin, and ice-blue eyes. After an unfortunate accident leaves him with jagged front teeth, he adopts the name Sissy Snagertooth. Sent to live with his eccentric grandpa, Sissy meets Phylis, a quirky, flatulent bull terrier, and they quickly form a bond. Together, they embark on an unexpected adventure to rescue ninety-four rare tortoises stolen from one of Grandpa’s acquaintances. But when the thief’s identity is revealed, Sissy finds himself in danger.
Peta was fortunate that Shaun Russell, Head of Publishing at Candy Jar Books, recognised the novel’s charm and potential. “I was captivated by the story’s warmth, humour, and heart,” says Shaun. “It’s a wonderfully imaginative adventure and a fantastic debut.”
The recognition from the Books Council of Wales as English-language Children’s Book of the Month for March 2026 is helping bring the story to an even wider audience.
It is estimated that between 100,000 and 200,000 people in the UK are living with Lewy body dementia, and while the story itself is a light-hearted adventure, Peta hopes it will help make a difference in the real world.
All profits from the sale of the novel will be donated to the Lewy Body Society. “Every little helps,” Peta concludes.
Sissy Snagertooth and Phylis is available from all good bookshops across the UK.
