Hi Esther! Thank you so much for chatting to me about your new book ‘Sophie Says I Can, I Will’. Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
Thank you so much giving me this platform to talk about my book, Sophie Says I Can, I Will. I am also a first-time mum to little Asher who is now 20 months old. I am the founder of a charity called sTandTall which aims to help anyone who has been through abuse and bullying get back on their feet and sTandTall again. I am a keen advocate for equal rights and equal opportunities and have a passion for Diversity and Inclusion which is what I do for my day job.
For those who haven’t read it yet, can you give us a quick overview of what the book is about?
Sophie Says I Can I Will tells the story of a young girl who is so excited about the possibilities of her future that she leaps out of bed to share all of her ideas with her parents. Written to inspire other young girls and boys about the direction their lives might take them, whilst tackling stereotypes head on by showcasing incredible women in a whole host of roles, Sophie Says I Can I Will is a powerful and uplifting story of empowerment. The aim – to allow boys and girls to achieve their dreams regardless of gender, race, religion or class.
What inspired you to write this story?
I wrote the book in response to a feeling I had whilst reading bedtime stories to my son. In most of the stories I was reading there weren’t any strong female protagonists. I want my son to grow up understanding that both boys and girls can grow up to become anything they want, regardless of gender. I decided if I couldn’t find enough of the stories I wanted to read to my child, I’d better write one myself!
As well as having a female protagonist, your book features lots of diverse characters. Is this something you feel strongly about?
Yes, this is something which I feel so strongly about and feel needs to seriously change for the better in children’s literature. How can we expect our children to dream big if they can’t see themselves being represented in the books they are reading from at a young age? My day-to-day full time job is in Diversity and Inclusion and I work hard to make sure the employees at the company feel included and that we have a truly diverse workforce. I believe we need to apply the same thinking to young children and be proactive in inspiring the next generations rather than retrospectively doing this when they are older when it’s harder for them to shake the stereotypes they have become used to.
All proceeds from the book go to a charity called sTandTall which helps children who have been bullied to build their self-esteem. Can you tell me a little bit more about that?
Yes, of course. I set up sTandTall after going through an abusive relationship and not wanting to talk about it for fear of people thinking I was weak. I eventually realised that it was part of me and if I could help others get back up on their feet then I should stop hiding and start making a positive impact to others because of it. We aim to help anyone who has experienced abuse to find the right support to get back on their feet through information and by connecting them to organisations suited to their specific needs. We ensure that everything is done safely and securely and is completely anonymous. We have now built a platform with over 200 charity partners where anyone in the UK can find the help and support near and around them. We have also built an education platform on the site for anyone who experiences abuse or is concerned about someone they know to know there is help available and they are not alone.
I believe you also have a crowdfunding campaign running at the moment to help the children of key workers. How can our readers get involved?
In this uncertain time, I desperately wanted to help. But with no medical expertise I was at a loss of what to do and it got me thinking. Here at Sophie Says HQ we have had so many messages from parents saying that the book has inspired them and their children. Parents have said that the book and its content have opened up wonderful conversations with their children. I have been reading so much about vulnerable children and how the current situation is affecting their mental health. And I realised, that through my writing and specifically Sophie Says, I could help vulnerable children’s mental health.
I have been inundated with requests from schools and charities for copies of Sophie Says to be handed out to vulnerable children and children of key workers during this current situation. What if we could give a Sophie Says book to them to own for themselves. For them to know that it is theirs, no one is going to take it from them and for them to learn that anything is possible – a powerful and positive message in the current times. So, I therefore launched a campaign.
- Donate the cost of a Sophie Says Book (£5) or as many as you can afford
- Books will be delivered to Schools, Charities and distributors in the UK to ensure the books go to children who really need some light shone in their lives at the moment.
- All the money raised will go to sTandTall to help anyone going through Domestic Violence – a vital cause always but specifically in the current time.
We’ve just hit our target of £10k which is absolutely incredible and means that over 2000 books have now been safely delivered to these charities, organisations and schools. We’re constantly getting new requests for more books so we’re keeping the campaign running in the hope to be able to donate more, and the link is here.
Have you always wanted to be a children’s author?
I never really thought about what I was going to be when I was older. Whenever anyone asked me that when I was younger I would say I just want to help people. I always loved writing and particularly writing in rhyme. I found it a therapeutic way to write about what I was feeling. I used to write a lot of poems when I was younger, a sort of diary through poems so I guess writing has always been with me and its now coming out in a different way as a children’s author. But one thing I know for sure is I want my son to be proud of me and if I can write the book(s) that him and his friends read and love that also make a difference to society then I think I have found my calling.
Do you recall your favourite picture books from when you were a child?
I have been told that my two favourites were The Rainbow Fish and also apparently The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
And what are your favourites to read with your son?
I love Giraffes Can’t Dance and Be Brave Little Penguin. Both are beautifully written and illustrated books but also with great messages for children (and parents) to learn.
Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us! If any of our readers want to find out more then where can they find you?
https://www.sophiesaysofficial.com/ – our website where you can learn more about what we’re trying to do, buy the book and also donate to our campaign if you want.
https://www.instagram.com/sophiesaysofficial– Sophie Says Instagram @sophiesaysofficial
You can read our review of ‘Sophie says I Can, I Will by clicking here.