Category: Children’s book

Celebrating A Decade Of Be Ur Own Light Blog- 10 Years!

~ Eleanor Segall ~ 2 Comments

On 1st March 2016, I wrote my very first blog about my mental health struggles with bipolar disorder and anxiety. For me, it was an outlet to share with friends and family what I was experiencing after one of the worst bipolar episodes I had faced and after hospitalisation in 2014. I didn’t realise that this traumatic time in my life, would also cause my mental health to dip and struggle further as I developed PTSD symptoms (panic attacks) and sat on a 2 year waiting list for NHS therapy. Professional support was not coming easily during this time, and so this blog became not only a therapeutic outlet but a place to connect with others going through similar things. And to explain to those who had never experienced mental illness, exactly what it can do but just how you can support those experiencing it.

Part of me can’t fully believe that I have been blogging consistently for 10 years. There have been times where I have wanted to give up but this little blog has been my saviour and in truth, helped me to launch a writing career that I did not expect and am so grateful for. It has also helped others to share their mental health stories and products, been a platform for mental health campaigns and charities and I am super proud of the impact we have had. One of our biggest accolades is being a Top 10 UK mental health blog by Vuelio every year since 2018- which means we are having a positive impact and reach!

The blog has published over 800 posts, with hundreds of thousands of views! It is read on every continent with a particularly large readership in the USA (as well as UK and other countries). We have covered so many topics- bipolar disorder, PTSD, anxiety disorders, depression, pre and post natal depression, OCD, BPD, eating disorders, psychosis, mania, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, trichotillomania, addictions (drug, alcohol, gambling), body dysmorphia and mental health topics like child mental health, work stress, emotional burnout, relationships, domestic and sexual abuse, homelessness. We have shared about wellness products and worked with inspiring health and lifestyle brands.

The blog inspired me to share my own story far and wide – writing for mental health charities Mind, Rethink, Time to Change, Bipolar UK, No Panic, SANE and Metro.co.uk, The Telegraph, Happiful, Glamour, Jewish News, Huff Post. Featured in Cosmopolitan, Elle, Yahoo News and other publications. Thank you particularly to the editors at the publications for sharing my story and believing in my mission! This also led to me writing my book ‘Bring me to Light’ which was published in 2019 by Trigger and remains one of my proudest achievements. I then released my children’s book ‘Arabella and the Worry Cloud’ and had some writing featured in ‘The Book of Hope’ by my friends Jonny Benjamin MBE and Britt Pfluger (an amazing experience!). In 2017-18, I was also involved with setting up the Jami mental health shabbat in my community and spoke in several synagogues and at a community festival Limmud with my Dad, about our journey with bipolar. The same year that I started this blog (2016), I also met my now husband, who supports me through all of my writing and mental health work.

As I look back over the past 10 years, to where we were in 2016 with mental health stigma, I am proud to have played a small part in changing the landscape and narrative online around mental illness, particularly bipolar disorder and psychosis. We have many followers on social media platforms and continue to share about mental health and well being and be a resource for all those who need it, so they never feel alone.

(image: Ineffable Living)

Thank you to every single contributor (and every reader) to Be Ur Own Light Blog 2016-2026. Your words and belief in our mission to end the stigma around mental illness have meant the world to me. I hope going forward I can continue to share more real stories, more important information on care and treatment and campaign for better care.

There is still a way to go. NHS waiting lists are too long and care is under funded, leading to not enough beds. Mental health stigma online (and sometimes offline) sadly still remains high. As a society, although we have improved, we still need to fully understand mental health conditions and separate them from the person themselves. I am optimistic that things can and will change.

To everyone reading this going through a period of mental ill health or living with a chronic mental illness, I see you and you are never alone. As a blog community, we can come together to empower each other, so no one ever feels invisible and I hope that I can continue to write too.

Thank you, from my heart, for the past 10 years! Here’s to many more years,

Love and gratitude always,

Eleanor

x

Children’s Mental Health Week And Arabella and the Worry Cloud Book by Eleanor

~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment

(image: E Segall/ Shelley The Artist)

This Children’s Mental Health Week by charity Place2Be, is focused on the theme ‘This Is My Place’, fostering a sense of belonging in children, encouraging safe spaces for them to feel supported. The week encourages adults, teachers, parents and carers to use tools to equip children with positive mental health.

This week is very important and my children’s book ‘Arabella and the Worry Cloud’ (illustrated by my dear friend Shelley the Artist) is for younger children (aged 4-8) navigating feelings of worry and anxiety.

(image: E Segall/Shelley The Artist)

When I was a little girl and well into my teen years and beyond, I had a lot of anxieties. As a self-confessed empath and worrier, I could feel when something was wrong. This led to separation anxiety with symptoms including nausea at school. Children who have anxiety need to feel safe, settled and above all, heard by parents/carers and the adults in their life at school.

I wrote my first children’s picture book, Arabella and the Worry Cloud, in 2019 and published it in 2024. It is based on me as a young 7-year-old girl who had a lot of anxiety. In the book, Arabella worries about her socks not fitting on her feet, losing her shoes in a muddy puddle, the rain soaking her and cold freezing her toes, the rainbow in the sky losing its colour, her cat Pickles getting lost, the plants in the garden dying, losing her homework, failing a test and being blown away by the wind. These worries are partly represented by a Worry Cloud that comes down to see her from the sky and threatens to rain on her with all her worries.

Eventually, Arabella realises that if she thinks jolly, happy, sunny thoughts in place of the worries, she can push the Worry Cloud away with the joyous light beams of positive thinking. Arabella unlocks happy memories with her family, visualising wonderful times with them and it gives her confidence to face the Worry Cloud head on, so it can go away and leave her in peace.

So many children will have their own version of the Worry Cloud. Arabella’s place of belonging is with her family, where she feels safe and loved (and we know this is not always the case). My hope through this book is that it will help children to feel OK with anxious feelings, to find safety and to talk about it with a trusted adult in their life.

This Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, you can get Arabella and the Worry Cloud here.

(image: Place2Be)

Love,

Eleanor

x

New Kids Wellbeing Book – ‘Sophie Says It’s Okay To Make Mistakes’ By Esther Marshall And Buzz Burry. Review by Eleanor.

~ Eleanor Segall ~ 2 Comments

(image: Sophie Says/Esther Marshall/BuzzBurry)

Many of you know that I love Esther Marshall’s bestselling Sophie Says book series for childrens wellbeing. I have blogged before about the books in the series which include ‘I Can I Will’, ‘Its Okay Not To Be Okay’ and ‘Be Proud Of Who You Are’ and now introducing her brand new book ‘It’s Okay To Make Mistakes’. Esther is on a mission to encourage confidence, resilience and emotional wellbeing in the children of today. She tragically lost her sister to mental illness and as part of her sister’s legacy she goes into schools and other organisations to read her books and embed wellbeing, promoting wellness from the early years and more.

The blurb says, ‘Mistakes aren’t something to fear — they’re how we learn, grow, and discover what we’re capable of.

In Sophie Says: It’s Okay to Make Mistakes, Sophie and her friends face challenges big and small, from getting an answer wrong in class to trying something new for the very first time. With kindness, courage, and encouragement, they learn that every mistake is a chance to try again.

This heartwarming children’s book teaches little ones that:

  • It’s okay to try, fail, and try again.
  • Mistakes help us build resilience and confidence.
  • Everyone — even grown-ups — makes mistakes.
  • The most important thing is to keep going and never give up.

Beautifully illustrated and filled with empowering messages, this story helps children aged 3–8 embrace failure as part of their journey, boosting their self-esteem and emotional wellbeing.’

Esther says that this book is for parents, teachers, and anyone who wants to raise confident, resilient kids and it contains beautiful illustrations from Buzz Berry. Esther has also thrown in a mistake of her own in the book so that she is also showing children it’s okay to make mistakes. Can you also find bunny hiding on each page? 

This book follows Sophie and her friends as they make a big mess in the kitchen and learn that mistakes can lead to laughter, learning and even better cookies! Throughout the book, the character of Bunny reinforces that its ok to make mistakes.

(image: Sophie Says/Esther Marshall/BuzzBurry)

I will end this blog with a lovely quote from the book,

‘Remember if you stumble or fall,

Mistakes are a part of it all.

They teach us to be better, to learn and to play,

And help us grow stronger in every way!’.

I really love the Sophie Says books and they are perfect for that little person in your life aged 3-8, who needs a wellbeing boost. As well as the books, there are affirmation cards, colouring books and more resources. For more/ to order a copy please see www.sophiesaysofficial.com

Eleanor x

This post is non sponsored.

Why I Wrote Arabella And The Worry Cloud, A Little Girl With Anxiety On Thoughts of Life And Love Blog (with Mandy Kloppers)

~ Eleanor Segall ~ 2 Comments

(image: Shelley the Artist/ E Segall)

Exciting times! Thank you so much to my fellow mental health blogger Mandy Kloppers at Thoughts of Life and Love blog for hosting my blog on why I wrote Arabella and the Worry Cloud– to help children with anxiety. I know Shelley illustrated it for the same reason. I had so many worries as a child and young adult- I definitely had my own Worry Cloud!

When I was a little girl and well into my teen years and beyond, I had a lot of anxieties. As a self-confessed empath and worrier, I could feel when something was wrong. This led to separation anxiety with symptoms including nausea at school. Children who have anxiety need to feel safe, settled and above all, heard by parents/carers and the adults in their life at school.

I wrote my first children’s picture book, Arabella and the Worry Cloud, in 2019 and published it last year. It is based on me as a young 7-year-old girl who had a lot of anxiety. In the book, Arabella worries about her socks not fitting on her feet, losing her shoes in a muddy puddle, the rain soaking her and cold freezing her toes, the rainbow in the sky losing its colour, her cat Pickles getting lost, the plants in the garden dying, losing her homework, failing a test and being blown away by the wind. These worries are partly represented by a Worry Cloud that comes down to see her from the sky and threatens to rain on her with all her worries.

Eventually, Arabella realises that if she thinks jolly, happy, sunny thoughts in place of the worries, she can push the Worry Cloud away with the joyous light beams of positive thinking. Arabella unlocks happy memories with her family, visualising wonderful times with them and it gives her confidence to face the Worry Cloud head on, so it can go away and leave her in peace.

So many children will have their own version of the Worry Cloud.

(image: Shelley the Artist/ E Segall)

Read the full blog here about how my experiences informed me writing Arabella and how it can help you:

https://thoughtsonlifeandlove.com/why-i-wrote…/95242/

Arabella and the Worry Cloud is out now on Amazon, for 4-8 year olds.

Arabella And The Worry Cloud Article On Parents News UK.

~ Eleanor Segall ~ 2 Comments

(image: E Segall/Shelley The Artist)

I am delighted to say that our children’s picture book ‘Arabella and the Worry Cloud‘ about a little girl with anxiety and how she manages her worries, is featured on Parents News UK website! Not only is it Children’s Mental Health Week but it is also Time to Talk day, where we share our stories about mental health.

Here’s a snippet of their thoughts:

‘Supporting children with anxiety, London-based author Eleanor Segall has drawn from her own childhood experiences to write Arabella and the Worry Cloud, a heartfelt picture book supporting children aged 5–8 who struggle with anxiety. Eleanor, who has lived with bipolar disorder since her diagnosis at age 16, aims to help young readers understand and manage their worries through relatable storytelling.

Arabella and the Worry Cloud introduces readers to Arabella, a seven-year-old girl who faces daily worries, from small tasks like putting on her socks to bigger fears about her cat or schoolwork. Her constant companion, the Worry Cloud, symbolises her anxious thoughts, teaching children that worries, like clouds, come and go.

Eleanor shares coping tools within the story, inspired by techniques that helped her manage her own anxiety. Through Arabella’s journey, children learn that even when caught in life’s “rainstorms,” the clouds will eventually clear.’

(image: E Segall/Shelley The Artist)

You can read the full article here. Thanks to all at Parents News UK!

Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week with Place2Be: Know Yourself, Grow Yourself.

~ Eleanor Segall ~ 3 Comments

(image: Place2Be)

Did you know 1 in 5 children face mental health challenges? Let’s make a difference together this #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek by taking part and donating to Place2be if you can.

The theme of this year’s week is ‘Know Yourself, Grow Yourself’, which is about encouraging children and young people across the UK to embrace self-awareness and explore what it means for them.

This year Place2be is partnering with Here4You, supported by the Walt Disney company and the Inside Out 2 characters to explore the theme.

I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression as a 15 year old, and had anxiety from a young age. I was also diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 16 and in a CAMHS unit in hospital in 2004. We know these days that more children are struggling, which is why awareness weeks like this are so important.

Through my kids book, Arabella and the Worry Cloud, I try to help children with their own anxiety to help them process their feelings with a trusted adult.

Check out: https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/ for more information and how you and your family/school can get involved with Childrens Mental Health Awareness Week.

5 Reasons Why Your Child Needs To Read ‘Arabella and the Worry Cloud’ Picture Book By Eleanor and Shelley The Artist

~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment

(Image: Eleanor Segall/ Shelley The Artist)

Note: Arabella is written for 4-8 year olds. Every child is different and some children younger than 4 have enjoyed this book, but it is largely a Key Stage One book.

When I was a little girl, I had a lot of anxieties. As a self confessed empath and worrier, I could feel when something was wrong and sometimes this led to child anxiety. This included separation anxiety with symptoms such as nausea at school. Children who have anxiety need to feel safe, settled and above all, heard by parents/carers and the adults in their life at school.

I wrote Arabella and the Worry Cloud based on me as a young 7 year old girl who worried a lot. In the book, Arabella worries about her socks not fitting on her feet, losing her shoes in a muddy puddle, the rain soaking her and cold freezing her toes, the rainbow in the sky losing its colour, her cat Pickles getting lost and the plants in the garden dying, losing her homework, failing a test and being blown away by the wind. These worries are partly represented by a Worry Cloud who comes down to see her from the sky and threatens to rain on her with all her worries.

Eventually, Arabella realises that if she thinks jolly, happy, sunny thoughts in place of the worries, she can push the Worry Cloud away with the joyous light beams of positive thinking. Arabella unlocks happy memories with her family, visualising wonderful times with them and it gives her confidence to face the Worry Cloud head on, so he can go away and leave her in peace.

So many children will have their own version of the Worry Cloud. Here’s 5 reasons why you should read Arabella and the Worry Cloud with them:

  1. It is a hopeful story– Arabella never loses sight of hope even when the Cloud tells her life is scary, saying ‘If I can see the sun and smell the passing rain, everything will be alright. The storm will not last forever’. This is the key message of our story- all thoughts will pass, you are safe and fear will not stay forever. This is particularly helpful for children who feel stuck with anxiety.

2. It can help children to process their emotions about worries safely, with help of parent or carer- The Worry Cloud represents Arabella’s thoughts and the book shows how Arabella sends him away with help of positive thinking and visualising happy memories. Some children may need further intervention from a team of professionals, but the book introduces worry/anxiety in such a way that it can be read to assist children when they worry (and distract them from negative thought patterns).

3. It is a positive, age appropriate book about child anxiety and worries with an uplifting message, filled with rhyming prose and beautiful, vibrant illustrations by renowned artist Shelley The Artist. Shelley combines old fashioned art with work on her ipad and the result is a beautiful array of illustrations your child will love.

4. It is a book about mental health in a child appropriate metaphor – As an author with a background in mental health writing and lived experience, I understand the needs of having books which discuss mental health issues in a safe and supportive way. As this book is aimed at 4-8 year olds, it slowly introduces worries some children may face at this age.

5. It has had some lovely reviews from children, parents and readers:

“I really enjoyed the book and really liked Arabella and I found the cat funny. I learnt to not worry about things and that we should only think happy things.” Matilda, aged 8

“A stunningly beautiful book with such important mental health and wellbeing messages. Suitable for primary school age children: I recommend adults read it too as it’s incredibly special and meaningful! Thank you for writing this and inspiring us all.” Mrs Davies, parent

“Arabella and the Worry Cloud conveys a wonderful message, is written with lovely imagery and is beautifully illustrated. The cloud is a really good way to portray anxiety – children will be able to relate to this and feel encouraged to overcome their worries with positive thinking like Arabella does.” Dr DF

“This book is perfect if you have a young child who is a bit anxious or worries easily as it’s relatable and puts anxiety in simple terms that a young child can easily understand.” Diary of Lydia

“Beautifully written and illustrated, this book will appeal to children and parents/guardians alike. More importantly, it’s going to help kids overcome their anxiety from an early age and understand that they are not alone. Highly recommended.” Britt Pfluger

“This is my favourite book ever ever ever. The words of my 4-year-old son who is a bit of a worrier himself! He had lots of questions and was very engaged throughout. Have already read it three times with him. Well done on a lovely debut kids’ book!” Joanna Gutkin, parent

To get your copy of Arabella and the Worry Cloud, go to Amazon here. I can’t wait for you to read it with your child/niece/nephew/grandchild and to share it with them and their friends too!

Thank you,

Eleanor x

Author Of ‘Sophie Says’ Ground-Breaking Children’s Book Series, Esther Marshall, Launches ‘Feelings And Affirmations Cards’ Encouraging Children To Communicate Their Feelings.

~ Eleanor Segall ~ 2 Comments

(image: Sophie Says)

I have followed Esther Marshall’s journey for a while as a children’s author, speaker and mental health advocate for the next generation. On World Mental Health Day, Esther released a surprise and wonderful new product- Feelings and Affirmation cards to help children to communicate their feelings and emotions (and understand them).

420,000 children and young people in England are treated for mental health problems every month. Mum of three and author of the Sophie Says children’s book series is on a mission to make a positive impact on the world specifically for the next generation. The empowering children’s book series ensure critically important lessons in self-belief, mental health and gender equality are shown in an authentic and fun way.

Sophie Says Feelings and Affirmations Cards have been made specifically to help a parent or carer and child talk about their feelings together in a fun way through the much-loved Sophie Says characters.  Affirmations and feelings cards are a proven tool for developing positive thinking, The Sophie Says affirmations cards have been designed to make exploring feelings a fun and interactive experience for children, parents, and carers, to empower self-belief and to help children believe they can achieve their dreams.

(image: Sophie Says)

Esther began her writing career with her debut book Sophie Says “I Can, I Will”, she wrote this during night feeds with her firstborn son as she wanted to teach him that girls were just as strong and powerful as boys, that people from different backgrounds to him could teach him things and he should listen and be kind to everyone.

The second book Sophie Says It’s Okay Not To Be Okay was written in memory of Esther’s younger sister Rebecca, who tragically took her life after her battle with mental illness at the all too young age of 28. The passion and driving force behind Sophie Says is to keep Rebecca’s legacy alive, teach young children about the importance of mental health, and talk about their feelings from a young age. The Sophie Says series now includes three books ‘I Can, I Will’, ‘It’s Okay Not To Be Okay’, and ‘Be Proud Of Who You Are’.

Esther Marshall says: “My mission is to help create a world where all children grow up feeling equipped and empowered to face their futures. Our new Sophie Says affirmations cards will help parents and carers communicate with their children and encourage them to express their feelings from an early age to help children, avoid harmful stereotypes before they set in.”

I love these cards and can’t wait to use them too!

To explore the new cards and full Sophie Says range visit www.sophiesaysofficial.com

This is not an ad or paid, I loved the cards and chose to review them.

No Panic Charity Blog for my ‘Arabella and the Worry Cloud’ book on World Suicide Prevention Day by Eleanor

~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment
(image: Eleanor Segall and Shelley the Artist)

Yesterday was World Suicide Prevention Day. This awareness day is so important as the rate of suicides in the UK and globally is increasing. About 10 years ago, I devastatingly lost a family member I loved dearly to suicide 💔- mental health treatment, awareness and support is so important. Often, even with these, people are still dying. I know myself the power of medicines, therapy and kindness from loved ones.

One of the reasons I wrote my children’s picture book ‘Arabella and the Worry Cloud’ (illustrated by Shelley the Artist) is because I believe that mental health education and understanding our feelings from a young age is so important. My book focuses on teaching children the power of positive thinking to relieve anxiety. So maybe it can do a bit of good in the world! I definitely didn’t have a book like this as a child.

So, I am so thankful today for the No Panic charity team who have shared this blog about my book today.

📚 Read here:

https://nopanic.org.uk/arabella-and-the-worry-cloud/

Eleanor x

Why I Wrote ‘Arabella And The Worry Cloud’ And the Self Publishing Process With Shelley The Artist by Eleanor

~ Eleanor Segall ~ 2 Comments

(image: Copyright: Eleanor Segall and Shelley the Artist)

In 2019, not long after I wrote my first book ‘Bring me to Light‘ , I had an idea for a story about a little girl, aged 7, who had worries- Arabella and the Worry Cloud.

As a child, I was a big worrier! I remember feeling anxious from about aged 4. I don’t know if its just my personality/ genetics or what was going on, but I was always a worrier.

So, I decided that I wanted to use my experiences to help children with their mental health too. Poor mental health often starts in childhood. For me, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 16 , and was off school with intense anxiety as part of a depressive episode at 15. It runs in my family and I know there are families now who were like mine or children living in more difficult environments. Children in loving, supportive homes (like mine was) can still experience anxiety around nursery, school, after school clubs and friendship issues, bullying and something I did not have contend with.. social media bullying. Other children have special educational needs or disabilities that impact them day to day. The spectrum is huge and I wanted to create a positive book to help.

Arabella is 7 years old and her special talent is worrying. In the book, her worries are represented by a cloud, known as the Worry Cloud, who comes down to see her from the sky. He reminds her of all her worries and she tries to run away from him. However, once she begins to think of positive thoughts and memories with her family like eating ice cream at the beach or swimming with her brother, her mind becomes lighter and happier. These positive thoughts are represented as light beams of positive energy and she finds she can put her worries into perspective. The book also serves as a reminder that the storm does not last forever!

(image copyright: Eleanor Segall and Shelley the Artist)

I am very blessed that my Dad has a close friend who is a renowned artist- Shelley. Shelley’s art work and illustrations are beautifully drawn, colourful and were perfect for how I wanted Arabella to be. She is an esteemed digital artist, mural maker, painter and sketcher. She really brought Arabella to life! So the process began….

Once Shelley came on board, we met every few weeks online for about 5/6 months so she could show me the illustrations she had created and I could give my input as the author. We had lots of fun while Shelley sketched the characters on her ipad for me over Zoom and we really love working together. Shelley is super talented and I am so thankful she is the illustrator of Arabella! You can see her work at www.shelleytheartist.com

So self publishing… why did I self publish? I had sent the manuscript to agents and had meetings with my old publisher and another famous publisher I had worked with on another book. They for different reasons eg budget and having a similar type of children’s book, did not want to take it on. Submitting books to agents means constant rejections and so I felt that it was slowing down time to get the book out there and thought why not self publish through Amazon instead? I could have submitted to more places as didn’t submit to as many as I could have. I would still love to be represented one day by an agent and major publisher so I will need to send out more manuscripts- watch this space!

Once Shelley and I had finalised the illustrations and pages, she resized them for me and then (through an author friend, Joanna Gutkin) I had the recommendation to Abid Hussain via Fiverr, who formats books! Abid then formatted (laid out) the pages for me and created the PDF files for the ebook and paperback. Once this was finalised and looked at by me, he then put it on Amazon KDP for us. I also spoke to a printer friend (of my Dad again as he has an amazing network) Hak Huseyn of Absolute Print printers who helped me to size it, choose the right paper and printed copies of the paperback for us too. As I am new to self publishing, Hak reminded me I would need an ISBN, so once that was paid for and barcode put on, we were good to go! Thanks Hak and Abid!

(image copyright: Eleanor Segall and Shelley the Artist)

This entire process was not as quick as I describe… it took us 9 months .. oh and I also forgot the trip to the bookshop I took with my Dad to find the right size of children’s book when we were about to format. The bookseller even got a tape measure to size it for us in inches, so thank you to Books on the Hill St Albans.

I also want to thank author friends Joanna Gutkin , Esther Marshall, Lauren Posner and Shani Singer who answered my queries about their books and self publishing and the Empowered Author Group on Facebook too.

Thanks also go to my Dad who believed in this book and helped me so much with it! And to the friends and family who read early copies. Rob, my husband has also been so supportive. And to Shelley for working with me!

If you buy a copy for your child, niece or nephew, cousin, friend’s child or your class at school I hope you love reading it and that it helps your child to understand that worrying happens, but we can talk about it, process it and find healthy ways to cope.

Arabella and the Worry Cloud is out now on Amazon