Author Sarah Watts is hoping her book will help young people understand epilepsy. Photos: Epilepsy ACT.
Epilepsy impacts about one in 200 children across Australia but remains a mystery to many. It is a complex condition that comes in varying degrees, so how do you explain it to children?
That’s exactly the question Canberra author Sarah Watts is hoping to answer with her first published children’s book Marvellous Miles.
Sarah says the name of the book is a reflection of the long journey people living with epilepsy face and how brave and resilient you have to be to endure that journey.
She says the inspiration for the book came to her when one of her children was diagnosed with epilepsy as an infant.
When her son started primary school, Sarah recognised there was a gap in the picture book market for a story that would normalise the lived experience of childhood epilepsy.
“The teachers and staff were fantastic and they wanted a way to explain his condition to his peers but there weren’t any picture books targeted at young children available which addressed key elements of his condition,” Sarah says.
“Marvellous Miles uses the power of imagination to normalise many of the realities for children living with epilepsy, but does so in a way that is approachable for all.
“My partner and I were really supported throughout the diagnosis and became well educated through the resources available but there was definitely a gap in the market when it came to explaining such a complex condition to kids.”
Sarah is thrilled with how her first published book has turned out. Photo: Epilepsy ACT.
After realising this, the mother-of-two spent the next six months developing her book based on a lion named ‘Miles’ and how he responds to his body moving in ways he isn’t expecting.
“I wanted the protagonist to be a lion because they’re associated with braveness and courage, and those are two qualities which Miles shows throughout his adventure.
“Miles seeks to overcome what he can’t control and regain his confidence.”
Sarah says what surprised her most about her education around epilepsy is the range of different seizures people can experience.
“Sometimes kids will have seizures that can appear to look like daydreaming but can be missed because it’s so subtle.
“I can only imagine [how] this must feel for kids who experience this seizure type, playing with their friends, having a seizure without realising it and coming back into reality and seeing their friends have moved on to another game.”
Sarah says along with educating children and adults about epilepsy in all its forms, she is hoping the sales of her book will contribute some financial support to Epilepsy ACT.
Epilepsy ACT is currently selling the book through its website and all sales made will go directly to fund its ongoing research and programs.
The book can also be bought at all major book retailers including QBD and Dymocks.
Meet the author, enjoy a reading as well as some light refreshments at the official book launch at Muse Kingston on 7 August from 5:30 pm. Get your tickets here.
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