A BOOK written by a Hook author to help young children open up about their problems has seen success.

Aimed at being used to help three-to-eight-year-olds, Linda Beckett wrote the book after she completed a psychology degree with the Open University.

The story, called What’s Wrong, Arty?, follows the trials and tribulations of a bear called Arty.

It is designed to be used as a tool for parents, teachers and therapists alike to help explain the issues surrounding mental health to younger children.

The first-time author said: “It just sort of happened, if you had told me a few years ago that I’d write a book that would do well, I’d have laughed.

“When my boys were old enough to go to school, I started on my course, and six years later I finished it.”

After finishing her course and finding it difficult to get a job in her chosen field of cognitive behavioural therapy, Linda revisited the idea of writing a book, taking inspirations from stories that her father told her when she was younger.

The decision to commit to producing a book focused on helping the younger generation came after seeing a few key facts in the news.

Linda said: “I saw a piece about how primary school pupils were suffering with their mental health, and I wanted to make something to help.

“So for six weeks on my lunch hour every day, I worked on the book until it was done.

“It is great to see that it can open the conversation and get young people talking about what is worrying them. I’ve really enjoyed writing it, and it was amazing to bring it to life.”

What’s Wrong, Arty? has remained in the top 100 books sold on Amazon for young people in the mental health category since its release in November 2018.

For more information go to austinmacauley.com/book/whats-wrong-arty.

What’s Wrong, Arty? is available at a cost of £6.99 from the publisher’s website.