FROME resident Lydia Hardy has written a book for families and is donating all proceeds to a charity which provides mental health support for children and adults.
The book, The Magician of Rook Lane, features poetic rhymes and illustrations, designed to appeal to both children and adults.
With a focus on children’s mental health, all proceeds from the book will be donated to Focus Counselling, a charity in Bath that provides mental well-being support for residents in the city, Midsomer Norton and Frome.
Focus Counselling aims to improve mental health in the Bath and North East Somerset area by offering accessible and professional counselling services to individuals from all backgrounds. The charity provides confidential spaces for people to explore their emotions, while also running support groups that focus on various mental health challenges.
Lydia is also supporting Sophie’s Legacy, following her granddaughter’s open-heart surgery in January this year.
The charity focuses on several key areas including the availability of play specialists in hospitals seven-days-a-week, improvements in the quality of food provided to children, and meals for parents who visit their children in hospital.
Last year, to mark her 40th wedding anniversary, Lydia wrote a story for her husband, John. What began as a personal tribute has now become a book project for their family, including their four children and four grandchildren.
Lydia said: “John is the unsung hero of the family, he is known for his quiet dedication, always looking after everyone. The grandchildren adore him, and many grandfathers miss out when their children are growing up due to work commitments. But when the grandchildren come along, they fully embrace him and love every minute.”
Lydia wanted to create something lasting for her family, so she teamed up with illustrator Debbie Clist to create the book. With personal touches, featuring scenes from the family’s garden, John’s pottery room and his tattoos. Debbie also captured familiar Frome landmarks, including Rook Lane Chapel and Cheap Street.
The book aims to inspire young readers, including the author’s grandchildren, to embrace a positive mental attitude and believe in their ability to achieve their goals. Through its themes, it encourages children to navigate life's challenges with creativity, curiosity, and respect for the world around them.
For those interested in purchasingThe Magician of Rook Lane, the book is available for order by contacting Lydia Hardy directly at [email protected].