My picture book adventure - part 2

In my previous 'picture book blog', I told you all about the challenges I faced while making my picture book 'Bieke and the Bedflies'. Today, I take you on a journey into the content and what makes it so personal.

Bieke is often alone, entertaining herself with colouring, crafts and reading. She is also used to it. But sometimes, just sometimes, she feels lonely....

A wonderful adventure about flying beds, friendships and bravery now awaits Bieke. Exactly what I fantasised about when I was little!

I was a sensitive child, which I now see as my strength, used to get in my way a lot. I was easily anxious and did not understand myself. I didn't fit in with my surroundings. In addition, my parents are both chronically ill, so at home it was more 'survival' than 'developing and blossoming'. That combination caused me to be lonely.

When we think of loneliness, we often immediately think of elderly people. This has received a lot of attention in recent years and has made us aware. But children also experience loneliness. I am not a psychologist or scientist, but I think it is not always easily noticed. Of course, loneliness is also a word whose meaning we have to learn, so it is not easy for children to articulate or explain.

Precisely because this is so difficult and with my own experience, I wanted to write a picture book that could help. Help make it discussable, help make it visible to parents, teachers and carers. Now this all sounds very dramatic, but above all it is an extraordinary adventure full of fun.

When I used to go to bed as a little girl, I loved having adventures. My imagination was my best friend. Sometimes all my stuffed animals would come to life, I would prepare daily meals for them and give them some parenting lessons. At other times, I saved the world, surely inspired by that day's cartoon. And sometimes. I flew out the window with my bed and enjoyed the views, the fresh wind in my face and met the cutest friends!

All those children who feel lonely, because their parents are divorced, because they have moved away, because they are bullied, because it is not so nice at home, because they are 'different', because they are shy or just because they are lonely. All those children I wish a nice adventure and inspiration to use their imagination, inspiration for bravery, just like Bieke and maybe a first step to express how they feel. And equally important are all the children who just fancy a magical adventure with a flying bed and forest friends, that they learn that some children can feel lonely and that it is nice to make friends then!

Last weeks I received the first reactions from parents and children, it was incredibly heartwarming. Children are savouring the adventure, all of a sudden wanting a flying bed too, and subtly raising awareness of loneliness. Mission accomplished!

Want to join the mission? Forward this blog, follow me on instagram, facebook or pinterest and of course you can buy the book!