This book is completely free however the author welcomes donations to the NHS if you would like to donate.
Visit Michael Forde’s website to find out more about the book and its author here.
“Three weeks ago, I wrote a little story to help the kids in my class come to terms with school shutdown. In the past few days, it’s been downloaded over 40,000 times and shared by hundreds of schools with their families. Now, I’ve teamed up with incredible illustrator, Rebecca Sampson, to create this marvelous free storybook!
Parsley Mimblewood is a home-schooled kid who sees herself as something of an expert on “How to NOT go to School”. The story follows her daily whimsical adventures along with her 11 animals and 7 imaginary friends. Each chapter explores an issue that might be weighing on children’s minds at the moment such as missing friends, dealing with emotions and feeling cooped up.
I’ve been overwhelmed to hear from parents of all kinds who’ve used this book as a tool to help their families discuss emotions and well-being during this time. Thank you to everyone who’s shared, helped with and read the book.”
Michael Forde
What the readers said...
Delightful short book which explores how learning at home is different to school, led by a home schooled narrator. Explores ideas such as letting your curiosity take the reigns in learning, how to look after your grown up, and a constructive way to help with feelings. Author is a primary school teacher, and from the book you can really tell that he gets the kid’s mindset.
Great, funny and helpful book for children in this strange time. Would recommend this to anyone with primary age kids.
This wonderful short book gives a great sense of adventure and perspective for children currently off school due to lockdown, wherever they are from. It made me laugh out loud and is really from an inspired sense of imagination, which kids love. The questions to help kids understand how they might be feeling are gentle as well as fun, exactly how to open space for positive chats. I loved it and would highly recommend!
Many thanks to Rebecca Sampson and Sarah Beswick– two incredible artists who heard about the story and offered to help. Sarah designed the front cover and Rebecca illustrated it as well as creating the marvelous illustrations inside the book.
Michael Forde
