A Bangor mum has written and illustrated her first children’s picture book, inspired by her experiences of raising a child with additional learning needs.
Kelly Joanne Hughes has published Happy Flappy Chappy, a colourful and uplifting story about a happy little boy who flaps his hands when he is excited.
Kelly began creating the book a year ago because she wanted to present “stimming” – repetitive movements or sounds, such as hand-flapping, which can help someone express or regulate their emotions – in a positive way.
She said: “So very often stories around children with autism, ALN and disabilities are negative. We have first-hand experience of this. However, I wanted to create something really positive and wonderful around ‘stimming’.
“The main character is a happy little boy who flaps his hands when he’s happy or excited, and the book celebrates it rather than portraying it as something negative or something that needs fixing.
“I also came to realise that many books around autism are very clinical. I didn’t want to create an explanation, but rather something through which children can see that this is just another way of expressing themselves.”
Kelly wrote the story and illustrated most of the book herself, using playful language, repetition and colourful pictures to bring Chappy’s energetic world to life.
The book’s description reads: “Meet Chappy, a happy little boy who loves to flap! A gentle, colourful and uplifting story celebrating autistic joy. Through this story, little readers will discover that everyone has their own special ways of expressing themselves.”
It is intended for young children, early readers, parents, carers and anyone who wants to encourage children to feel proud of who they are.
Kelly said she had been overwhelmed by the response since the book was published, with copies already being purchased and readers suggesting that it should be available in schools.
There have also been calls for a Welsh-language edition.
Kelly added: “I hope to create more books that make children laugh, feel seen and, most importantly, feel free to be themselves.”
Happy Flappy Chappy by Kelly Joanne Hughes is available in paperback from Amazon.
