Leeds-based author, Jo Smedley, has celebrated the launch of her first book, The Girl with a Big Heart, at an exclusive event in Leeds.
The celebratory launch event took place on 7th November at The Leeds Library in Commercial Street. It included readings from the book and a question-and-answer session. Those attending were able to hear more about Jo’s motivations for writing the book, learn about the journey from idea to publication, and purchase their own copies.
Author Jo says she was thrilled with the event and humbled by the response to The Girl with a Big Heart.
“It’s so touching to see people being genuinely moved by the stories in The Girl with a Big Heart,” says Jo, “and I’m over the moon at the support it has received so far.”
Jo had the idea to write The Girl with a Big Heart after becoming increasingly concerned about the rising levels of mental health challenges being experienced by children and young people in the UK. She decided to write ten stories in which a girl with a wobbly tooth navigates and comes to terms with her different emotions. She does this by helping animal friends better understand their own feelings and challenges as they encounter each other across various adventures. She says the stories have been an immediate hit with readers.
“I’ve been overwhelmed by the response,” says Jo. “People have told me that reading the book with their children has made difficult conversations so much easier; and that it’s helping children and young people to understand their own emotions better. I’d like my writing to make a positive difference to people so I really couldn’t hope for a better outcome than that.”
A report by The Children’s Society shows that 1 in 6 children aged 5-16 years are likely to have a mental health problem and that, overall, children’s happiness in the UK is declining. Jo says that part of her motivation behind writing the book is to help make conversations around emotions less challenging, as well as to provide engaging, funny and heartwarming stories that everyone can relate to.
“So many people are buying a copy for themselves and then going back to buy more as presents, not only for friends and their children, but also to donate to school libraries and local hubs because it’s been so useful. We’ve had great feedback from teachers, too!” says Jo. “It seems that lots of people both big and small will be receiving a copy in their Christmas stocking this year!”
The Girl with a Big Heart can be purchased from all good bookshops and is also available on Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/aCgZuhB
