A Kent resident has turned a treasured childhood memory of a missing teddy bear into a new children's book celebrating kindness, courage and the enduring magic of handwritten letters.
The Adventures of Curly Bear was inspired by a simple act of kindness from the author Rebekah Gardner's late grandmother after a beloved teddy went missing shortly before a family holiday. Hoping to ease the disappointment, her grandmother wrote to the family's holiday villa, explaining that Curly Bear was away having great adventures and would soon be reunited with his owner.
Writing Through Grief
Years later, following her grandmother's death, the author began writing down her favourite memories as a way of coping with her grief. The story of Curly Bear stood out as something that could be developed into a positive book for children. It was also an opportunity for the author to honour her grandmother's memory.
The author said:
My beautiful Granny was a very courageous lady who faced many tragedies in her life. However, she was persistently positive and always encouraged us to 'get going with things'. She was often described by her friends as a tonic, always giving other people a boost and not focusing on herself.
Rebekah, who has lived in Kent all her life, hopes the book will inspire children to explore different countries and discover new experiences, while also encouraging them to be brave when facing new challenges, such as learning to swim.
The Love of Letters
At the heart of the book, however, is the author's love of handwritten letters, something she shared with her grandmother well into adulthood.
Rebekah says:
Text messages have been lost, but I still have all her letters.
She added:
In an age dominated by instant digital communication, I believe handwritten letters can offer something unique: the knowledge that someone has taken the time to write and post something truly personal that can be kept and treasured.
Small Acts of Kindness
The author hopes The Adventures of Curly Bear will also encourage young readers to recognise how small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact.
The author says:
Children of any age can find simple ways to show kindness to the people around them.
She added that even simply talking to someone who is feeling sad can make a difference.
The book is illustrated by Charlotte Heather, who is also a Kent resident. She specialises in watercolour, giving the book a cosy, nostalgic feel.
The Adventures of Curly Bear is available from Amazon and Waterstones.