As part of the National Year of Reading, we are highlighting children’s books which you may not have encountered before.

Here, author Jane Somers explains what brought her to writing books for children to help them understand powerful emotions.

Q: When and why did you become an author?

A: I became an author in November 2023. I have always loved reading and writing from a very young age. I had previously written poems for friends and family and had a few published. So many people kept encouraging me to write a book. It was always something I wanted to do but life and a little self-doubt got in the way. I then joined a Facebook writing group during Covid which enabled me to take the plunge to self-publish. This group also allowed me to meet other writers, find more confidence in my own writing and gain a little insight into the complex world of publishing and marketing.

I’m a perfect example of ‘better late than never’.

Q: What compelled you to become a children’s author specifically?

A: I love children’s books because there are no limits with your ideas, characters, settings and plots. You can explore anything with your themes and you don’t necessarily need extensive research. It plays to my inner child and my wild imagination.

I worked with children previously and I loved reading with them and firing up their imagination. Writing for them was a natural extension of this.

Q: Was there a reason behind the theme of grief and loss as the main focus in your books?

A: ‘Look For The Robin’ was published in honour of my mum who died suddenly when three of my sons were still very young and one son was not even born. I knew just how much my boys missed their grandmother and I was absolutely devastated too. She was an amazing, caring, lovely lady.

I always wanted to channel my grief into something positive that would help other children who were missing someone special and experiencing a similar, devastating loss too.

‘Over Rainbow Bridge’ was written after we had to say goodbye to our cat, Fletcher after almost 18 years of loving him.

That was very traumatic for us all even though we were now six adults saying goodbye to our cat at the vets.

Having worked with children, I always had this ethos that I want to help them in every sense, and especially through the most difficult of times.

Q: I love the symbolism of the robin and the rainbow bridge. Tell me a bit more about these and how the ideas evolved?

A: I am a firm believer in the saying ‘Robins appear when loved ones are near’. My mum introduced me to this belief many years ago. I have experienced robins appearing at just the perfect time on so many occasions now. One even flew down beside me when my illustrator called me while I was on holiday in Devon, walking in the woods near a beach. We were about to press the button to print our first ever batch of books. I thought ‘this is for you mum’ and the robin instantly appeared in front of me. That was such an overwhelmingly emotional moment.

I wanted to pass this belief to others to enable a child to focus on something positive and beautiful when trying to process their own grief.

Similarly, with Over Rainbow Bridge, I wanted a child to feel like their pet was still happy and watching over them with love and they would always have a special bond with their best friend. Losing a pet can often be a child’s first experience of grief and I wanted to help comfort them through this.

Q: Did you work with any professionals regarding the way grief should be addressed with children?

A: No. I simply wrote from personal experience, from the heart, for both books after the devastating impact of loss on my family. I absolutely believe in my love for both the robin and my love for animals and I think it’s easier to write when you have total faith in what you are writing about.

Q: How do you market/ spread the word about your books? Have any schools sourced these?

A: I mainly advertise in various Facebook groups with a link to my online store and yes, they have also been spotted by teachers etc who have then purchased the books for their school. I have sourced a few local schools too and I’ve read in two of them and they have purchased my books.

My books are available on my website janesomersauthor.com and Amazon. If you purchase them directly from my website you also get a beautiful, little clay heart trinket.

My books are now very often recommended by word of mouth as well.

I am also a recommended resource on the Good Grief Charity website.

The books have also been sourced by funeral directors, celebrants and adoption/fostering agencies.

Q: Do you have examples of how effective your books have been in supporting children through grief?

A: I have had so many people write to me, thanking me and telling me the positive impact my books have had on their child. Some children take my books into school for show and tell.

Several parents have told me ‘Look For The Robin’ is now their child’s favourite book. Some say how they read this book to their child every night.

I’ve been told many times how children now look for robins and feathers when out and about and are overjoyed when seeing one and immediately say hello to their loved ones. I love this because this is something they will carry with them forever.

On World Book Day 2026 I was sent a photo of a child in a Robin costume with my book. This was absolutely amazing.

To receive so many wonderful reviews and thank you messages is both humbling and uplifting. My mum would love this. I have been in tears so many times when reading about the impact that my books have had on a child and their family.

Q: Are there any plans for future books?

A: Oh yes! I have lots of ideas rolling around in my head to be honest.

I am currently writing an adventure book for children which I hope to publish later this year and more children’s books to come.

I still want to write more books on the subject of bereavement and I am thinking of publishing a poetry book for adults on this theme too.

Jane Somer's website