The stars are coming to Wokingham and if you’re very lucky you may find one.
Lower Earley author Gemma Stone will be hiding copies of her new children’s picture story book, which features a special star.
She’ll be secretly planting the books in Wokingham in places where children can find them.
Youngsters can search during half term, which this year runs from Friday, May 27 to Sunday, June 5.
Gemma’s book, is Herb, The Little Star Who Twinkled Differently, and was written for her seven month old son Archie.
“It’s about how being different can feel scary, especially when it’s hard to find the right words to say.
“In my story, Herb, with the help of his dad, learns to realise that he’s a bright spark with his very own star qualities,” explains Gemma.
Copies of the Gemma’s book will be tucked away in playgrounds and near schools.
She hopes that lots of young children will enjoy searching for it with their families, and if they do find one, it’s theirs to keep.
It’s a book that speaks from the heart.
Gemma hopes it will help children to understand how it feels to be a bit different.
Her own baby son Archie, like Herb, twinkles brightly, and has his own special qualities.
He has ocular albinism, a condition where the pigmentation in the iris, the coloured part of the eye, has not developed properly.
This can cause visual problems such as nystagmus where the eyes seem to ‘wobble’ constantly, and may also lead to a heightened sensitivity to light.
Gemma first noticed that Archie seemed to be searching with his eyes when he was about six weeks old.
“He was moving his gaze from left to right repeatedly, as if he was looking for something,” she says.
“Neither of my other two children have the condition, so I realised that something was a bit different.
At three months old Archie received a diagnosis.
“It was a huge shock,” she continues.
“I was devastated and felt very alone.
“But my way of coping was to write a story specially for Archie.
“He’s a little bit different, but he’s a happy, loving little boy, who laughs a lot, and we look forward to being able to celebrate all the things he can and will do.”
Gemma has worked in early years education, and is used to creating stories for youngsters.
Her own children are her greatest critics.
“I try out all my stories on my children and my nieces and nephews,” she laughs.
“They can be quite critical, but they all love this story.”
Herb, The Little Star Who Twinkled Differently is a short, easy read, and perfect for parents to read at bedtime.
“It’s for every little Herb who is a bit different, and for their families who love them,” Gemma says.
“I’m pleased with the book, and delighted with Elina Oplakanska’s illustrations.
“Her pictures have a magical quality, like children’s dreams brought to life.”
Children looking for Gemma’s book should notice its distinctive purple cover with its friendly yellow star.
“It’s been quite a journey,” says Gemma.
“And a difficult year for us as a family, but I am very excited that the book is now actually happening.”
Herb, The Little Star Who Twinkled Differently is on sale at Amazon for £9.25.
It is also available at Waterstones.
Proceeds will go to Great Ormond Street Hospital.
To purchase drop in to Waterstones or search Amazon: G.L.Stone, or ISBN 9781399925075.
Or for more information from the author, search g.l.stone on instagram.
