Mother writes children's story about coping with grief

Nicola Jack, who lived in Chineham for 20 years, has published Jack, Muffin & Basingstoke Bear - Getting to know Joe.

The book, which is targeted towards children aged five to nine and follows a character, Jack, who makes a new friend, Joe, who has recently lost his father.

Jack is based on Nicola's own son, Jack, who died last year, aged 28.

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Nicola and her son, Jack, when he was young (Image: Nicola Jack)

Nicola said: "I started writing this book shortly after my son died last year. 

"Through my own grief, I started to wonder how young children cope with grief, such as the trauma of losing a parent. 

"I decided to write a book that would touch on the subject of grief, but also have humour and upliftment to balance the story."

Using her own son, Jack, as inspiration, Nicola based her story on some of her memories of him, his kindness and his sense of humour.

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Jack, Muffin & Basingstoke Bear - Getting to know Joe (Image: Nicola Jack)

Nicola, who now lives in Reading, brought up Jack at her previous home in Sorrell's Close, Chineham from the age of three until he left for university.

His teddy bear, named 'Basingstoke Bear', was given the name as he was bought in that town and lived with him there.

Nicola said: "I was inspired by drawing on memories of my son's childhood, the fun times, his sense of humour and compassionate spirit.

"He loved to entertain his friends and make them laugh, and I drew on the memory of that energy."

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She continued said: "Grief and loss are a natural part of life. I would like my book to open up discussion about the subject, both at home and at school.

"I feel encouraging young children, especially boys, to talk about their feelings, is an important part of their education and growth and could be of great benefit to their mental health when moving forward into adulthood."

The next book in the series will be The Trouble with Bananas - in which Jack and his friends encounter a school bully and deal with it with humour and bravery.

Readers can find out more about Nicola and her book by visiting nicolajack.com and can purchase Jack, Muffin and Basingstoke Bear: Getting to know Joe on Amazon.