Girl, 10, writes self-help book on divorce
(The Guardian)
Updated: 2005-12-13 11:48

A 10-year-old schoolgirl who wrote a self-help guide to help her deal with her parents' divorce is to have her book published, it emerged yesterday.

When her mother and father separated three and a half years ago Libby Rees wrote a list of the things that helped her make sense of what was going on. The result was a 60-page book called Help, Hope and Happiness, published by Aultbea Publishing based in Inverness.

As well as flying Libby to Scotland to sign a contract, the company has commissioned a further two books from the primary school pupil.

Libby's mother, Kathryn Loughnan, said: "We had been out for a walk in the forest and we had been having a chat. She was just saying that every time she threw a stick for the dog she was throwing away something that irritated her.

"We didn't really take it seriously at first but she went away, wrote her list and then came back and said she wanted to use the computer. Quite often if you don't seize the moment you lose it so I went away and did some housework and she got started. She printed off some copies and emailed some publishers. The following day we got a call from Aultbea and I almost couldn't believe it."

Ms Loughnan, from Ringwood in Hampshire, said the trip to Scotland was "thrilling" and added: "It just was so surreal that we had to do a reality check."

She said some of the money raised from the sale of the book would go to the children's charity Save The Children.

Charles Faulkner, who runs Aultbea Publishing, said Libby was the youngest author they had signed up.

"For one so young to be able to put these things into words is absolutely exceptional," he said. "She has obviously got some unbelievable talent." Despite her tender age, Libby is not the youngest person in the world to see their work published.

A spokeswoman for Guinness World Records said that title belonged to a four-year-old girl from Washington whose book How The World Began was published in 1964. The youngest published male in the world was a six-year-old from Brazil whose book Dragon Island was published in 2003, the spokeswoman said.

She said that Guinness World Records did not monitor national records in this category.

Top 10: the child's guide to separation

Take a break Try to find some time to be alone. Enjoy a favourite film or book. This will give you some valuable time off from worrying, also it will help you relax.

Funny phrases Think of something which always makes you laugh! Say it to yourself when you are feeling sad and it will cheer you up.

Positive thinking Try looking in the mirror, first thing in the morning and say out loud to yourself "I am better and better every day!" five times.

Achievements Find something that you fear and try to overcome it. This sense of achievement will encourage you to take on other challenges .

TGI Night This stands for Thank God It's ... then you fill in the day of the week which is good for you to have as a special night. Having a special night to look forward to it will help you get through from week to week.

Review your week Look back on the week just gone and decide what worked well, as well as what was a problem for you. Then think about how you could change the outcome to suit you best.

Let it all out Find a place where you can be all alone and let it all out. Scream, shout, stamp your feet.

Join a club If you could use something to divert your brain, joining a club will help you to forget your problems .

Pick a project Engross yourself in a project of your choice. It might be something you studied at school that you want to find out more about.

Healthy body, healthy mind If you exercise, your body releases endorphins. They convince your body and brain that you are fit to cope with anything.