A SWANSEA-BASED author has written a book about anxiety and mindfulness inspired by her daughter’s struggles. ‘Whispa and the Waves’ is a powerful and practical book, written by Ffion with illustrations by Elena Mascolo, that explores mental health and mindfulness. The book provides constructive mindfulness techniques to help children and parents understand and manage anxiety. Tiny Tree Books will publish ‘Whispa and the Waves’ today (July 18th).
‘Whispa and the Waves’ follows a young mermaid — Whispa — whose worries consume her. As Whispa’s worries grow, so do the waves and the storm surrounding her. Using mindful relaxation techniques, Whispa manages to calm the waves and make her way back to shore. The book teaches children that, no matter how overwhelming our worries may become, there’s always a way to calm the storm.
“When my daughter starting struggling with anxiety a few years ago, I used the concept of waves that build up and ebb away again to help her visualise her anxious feelings,” says Ffion. “I also use the concept in my work in the education mental health field to help children reframe their perspective on anxiety. The book helps children to know that anxious feelings are normal and manageable and that they can develop their own techniques to ride the waves.”
The mental health of children in Wales is a pressing issue. Health and Care Research Wales reports that 1 in 6 children and young people have a diagnosable mental health problem. Equally, a 2024 survey from HAPPEN-Wales reports that 29% of children in Wales were affected by emotional challenges.
‘Whispa and the Waves’ is about an anxious mermaid called Whispa, who worries about everything. One night, Whispa’s worries get bigger and bigger until they cause a storm to build. With each new worry, she is sucked deeper into the stormy seas.
Whispa thinks the storm is bigger than her, and she almost gives in to it, when a pink conch shell she is holding brings back a happy memory. This memory from Whispa’s childhood reminds her of a kinder inner voice which tells her that she knows what to do to calm the storm. Through mindful relaxation techniques, Whispa manages to calm the waves and make her way back to shore. Other storms will come, but she knows she will be able to ride the waves.
A book that is as practical as it is powerful, ‘Whispa and the Waves’ offers tried and tested methods for calming anxiety whilst telling an engaging and timely story that children and parents will love.
‘Whispa and the Waves’ by Ffion Jones and Elena Mascolo will be published today (July 18th 2024) by Tiny Tree Books. The book is available to order today from Amazon, Waterstones, and all good bookshops.
Dr Ffion Jones is a children’s author, illustrator and passionate mental health advocate based in Swansea, Wales. Ffion began her writing career in 2005 and has since written over twenty books for children. Ffion is the co-director of Nurse Ted Ltd, a company which produces picture books to explain serious illnesses to children and, in 2020, she set up Fly Me Stories to send personalised stories to seriously unwell children in the UK. Ffion also works in the education mental health field.
Tiny Tree is an imprint of Andrews UK Limited. From its creation, the imprint has gone from strength to strength producing high-quality picture books, junior fiction, middle-grade fiction, and YA titles. Tiny Tree looks to champion new voices and talent whilst producing unique stories for children of all ages.
