Luton-born author hopes to bring children’s book about emotions to town’s schools
A Luton-born author and illustrator hopes to bring her debut children’s book to schools and nurseries across the town with offers of free readings.
Ash Patel’s book, Zeo has BIG feelings, will be officially released on November 2 and aims to help children aged four to seven recognise and name seven different emotions.
Written and hand-painted by Ash, the story follows Zeo, whose antennae change shape and colour to represent different feelings, giving young readers a visual way to understand their emotions.
Ash, who grew up in Luton and attended Icknield High School, has spent the past year creating the book alongside running her own recruitment business.
She said: “I grew up in Luton, one of the most diverse towns in the country, and that shaped me.
“Across so many families, whatever their background, there was one thing in common: feelings weren’t really talked about. You got on with things. I think a lot of people from Luton will recognise that.”
Having achieved an A* in GCSE Art at Icknield High School, Ash said drawing became a way to make sense of her own feelings.
Looking back on her childhood, she said: “I wish I’d had a book like Zeo has BIG feelings when I was younger. When you’re small, your feelings can be treated as less important: you’re a child, it’s normal, just get on with it.
“Nobody explained them, so you went along with things without knowing what was okay and what wasn’t.”
She added: “I want children to know their emotions are valid, and that it’s okay to feel them and talk about them. Zeo gives them a way to do that, through pictures as much as words.”
The book has already received positive feedback. The deputy head teacher of one school said: “I think it’s a really great way to connect children to their thoughts and feelings in a fun and engaging way.”
Although Ash has begun arranging readings in Hertfordshire, where she now lives, she is keen to bring the book back to her hometown.
She said: “I’d love to bring Zeo home to Luton with a reading at a local school.”
Luton schools and nurseries interested in hosting a free reading can contact Ash at [email protected].
Zeo has BIG feelings will be available in paperback and hardback from November 2, with copies available through Amazon and bookshops.
More information and free colouring pages are available at ashdrawsbigfeelings.com.