New book helping kids cope with family violence

Two early childhood educators from Tasmania have written a picture book to help young children living with family violence better cope with the realities of living in a stressful environment.

Judi Rhodes and Tanya McQueen's picture book 'Queenie's little book of comfort' aims to spread the message that family violence damages children's lives as well as adults and to provide coping strategies for small children.

As early childhood educators Judi and Tanya see the damage and trauma caused to children through family violence and their book aims to build strong, resilient children and to give children tools and strategies to manage when their home life is volatile.

At present children seem to be forgotten in the background when family violence stories are talked about. As early childhood educators they see the damage that trauma does to children every day and wanted to help.

'Queenie's little book of comfort' features hand made Australian native animals and tells a story in an easy to understand, gentle manner. The authors say the book was written as a conversation starter for adults and parents of all young children.

Queenie is a young quoll woken up by loud noises coming from the kitchen. She tiptoes into the kitchen and instead of mum and dad finds two monsters arguing. Feeling frightened she runs next door to her friend Eric the Echidna for help.

Eric gives Queenie key messages to help her stay safe, feel brave and get help. He shows her a simple strategy to self-calm, using something found anywhere, that she can practise throughout her life to strengthen her overall wellbeing.

Judi and Tanya say they wrote this book to give small children hope. Hope that they can survive and hope that families can get better!

"By reading our book mums and dads can begin to understand the terrible impact that any form of violence has on their children's wellbeing," they said.

Click here to listen to an interview by the authors on ABC here.

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We have six copies of this book to give away to early childhood services. To be in the draw to win email support@careforKids.com.au with Queenie the Quoll in the subject heading. We will notify the winners next week. You can also order a copy here fullersbookshop.com.au