How Derbyshire family's ‘Dear Boris’ book is helping children with their mental health

The Butler family, from Tibshelf, say the book was inspired by their home schooling, when all agreed it was good to talk about their feelings and everything they were missing during lockdown.

Dad Ian Butler, who is assistant headteacher at Clowne Junior School, said as soon as the book was shared online it received some ‘very kind’ feedback.

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Ian’s children Reuben, six, of Tibshelf Infant and Nursery School, Eden, eight, and Amelia, 10, both of Clowne Junior School, all helped on the project.

Ian said: “As a family, we recognised lots of children were feeling pretty sad about everything that has been happening due to Covid and how it is good to talk.

"We began talking about what we have been missing and decided to do some art as part of our home schooling to express this.

"After a while we combined the pictures with a story and it all just emerged from there.

“We decided we wanted to try and help other children to talk about their feelings, so we shared the book online and created a fundraising page to support a children’s mental health charity.”

In the book, Reuben, Eden and Amelia talk about all the things they have been missing, including hugs from their nan, going on holiday and to the zoo, and even the classroom.

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"The name of the book is ‘Dear Boris’ and it’s a pretty straightforward title,” Ian said.

“If you were to write to Boris Johnson what would you ask for?

"The children not only thought about what they were missing but also about what other children up and down the country might be missing too.

"It’s about being grateful for the little things in life like getting a hug from a loved one, seeing friends or playing chase in the park.

"People have definitely enjoyed seeing it and we’ve had some really kind feedback.

“They have been very generous by donating to the charity and we are very grateful.

"Many people have said it was really useful to get their children talking about their feelings a little more and lots of people said it put a smile on their face.”

Watch a preview of the book here.

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