Don’t Look Back is a picture book for children, telling a daring story of escape, adventure and freedom. It is being published by The Book Guild and will be out in October.

My book has been bubbling away since I studied for a Masters in Creative Writing in 2010. I passed the course with a Merit, but I was unable to find the right way to tell my story. I knew I would come back to it at some point and in 2022 I finally did.

Although there is always a place for dinosaurs and poo in the picture book market, I know from my own experience that kids can enjoy politically-engaged books that make their world a bit bigger. This true story teaches young readers about people risking everything to escape to a better life.

Don’t Look Back is the story of a little boy Anthony and his parents Peggy and Ladislav. When they leave their house with just a small bag and Anthony’s teddy bear it looks as though they are going out for a couple of hours. Yet they are leaving forever.

Their journey takes them through a forest, where they have to overcome challenges and face their fears. Will they all make it out safely?