Hello…

It’s been a while again… because I am still absolutely rubbish at sticking to any kind of schedule.

In my defence, I’ve had back surgery. I’m now two weeks post-op, starting to feel a bit more human again, and, because I’m self-employed, I’ve found myself back at my desk doing what I probably shouldn’t be doing just yet.

But I needed to come and share this properly because…

My children’s book is live.

My first children’s book and I’m so so proud!

Some of you may remember that this book almost didn’t happen

A couple of months ago, I came here completely heartbroken. I thought this book was ready to go…
and it turned out I’d been conned by someone claiming to be an illustrator who was actually using AI which was the exact thing that I didn’t want to happen.

Honestly, it knocked me more than I expected. I had shared my dreams with this person and it was like they stuck their fingers up at me whilst laughing behind my back.

But… I picked myself up, found a brilliant (actual) illustrator, and we started again. And now?

Acorn and the Toothpaste Tangle is live on Amazon.

Meet Acorn (And the Toothbrushing Struggles No One Warns You About)

This little squirrel? My son will tell you straight, that’s him and in many ways, he’s right. Acorn is a little squirrel who struggles with sensory issues, and something as simple as brushing his teeth can turn into a full-on meltdown.

If you’ve ever dealt with toothbrushing struggles with a child, you’ll know exactly what I mean.

You’re stood there saying:

• “Just put the toothbrush in your mouth…”
• “Just a little bit of toothpaste…”
• “Just something on your teeth…”

And somehow… it becomes the hardest part of the day.

It’s Never Just About Brushing Teeth

What I’ve learned (the hard way) is that it’s not actually about the teeth. 
It’s about:
* sensory overload
* the taste or texture of toothpaste
* changes in routine
* needing to move instead of stand still
* and just being completely done with the day

For some children, especially neurodivergent children, these everyday routines can feel overwhelming in a way that’s hard to explain. In our house, that looks like bouncing around the bathroom while trying to brush teeth (which is equal parts impressive and chaotic).

But it can also look like big emotions, big reactions, and a child who just can’t do one more thing.

So I Wrote a Children’s Book About Big Feelings and Small Tasks

This book came from those moments amd from trying to support my son through something that felt small on the outside… but wasn’t small at all.

Acorn and the Toothpaste Tangle is a gentle, rhyming children’s book about:

• emotional regulation for kids
• sensory challenges in daily routines
• and finding a calmer way through those tricky moments

It’s aimed at younger children (nursery, preschool, reception age), and it follows a mammy squirrel helping her little squirrel navigate those feelings. Not by forcing it, but by taking a deep breath and trying to understand it. 

This book is for:

• children who struggle with bedtime routines or daily tasks
• children with sensory sensitivities
• children who feel things very deeply

And it’s for you, the grown-up, who’s stood there thinking:

“Why does this have to be so hard?”

Because you’re not imagining it. And you’re definitely not alone.

I had a vision and I tried to pull it together but…

The first draft of the book? “It’s okay, but it’s a bit boring, mam.”  Nothing like a 7 year old to put you back in your box with some brutal honesty!

So, the draft is written in rhyme to give it that sing-song feel children love, and we’ve added interactive “find-it” elements throughout:

• find the butterflies
• spot the stars
• look for the red objects

Because if it doesn’t keep them engaged… it doesn’t help anyone.

A little ask from a normal mam, trying to do all of the things…

I’m not a big publisher which means, I don’t have a team of people behind me trying to get this book out into the world… I’m just a mam trying to do all of the things:

• advocate for my children
• run a business
• navigate life
• and occasionally remember what I walked into a room for

If you do pick up a copy of Acorn and the Toothpaste Tangle, I would genuinely love it if you could leave a quick review on Amazon. It makes a huge difference for small authors and helps other families find books like this.

What’s next for us?
This is just the beginning. The next children’s book is already written and heading into illustration soon (once I figure out how I’m paying for that one… small detail) and I am just going to keep going. I don’t even know if I remember how to stop these days…

So, if you are in the thick of it…
If your child struggles with routines…
If bedtime feels harder than it should…
If small things turn into big moments…

This book was written for you.

You can find Acorn and the Toothpaste Tangle on Amazon worldwide, or over on my shop if you are looking for a signed copy.

And if it ends up being read in the middle of one of those real-life, slightly chaotic moments… then it’s doing exactly what it was meant to do.

From one Mammy Squirrel to another
You’re doing better than you think.