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Dads Dave Woods and James Butterworth have launched online publisher Be Held, which offers bespoke books to help parents teach life lessons.
The firm is starting by publishing a series of nine books, which parents can personalise by giving the main character their own child’s name, as well as changing their hair and skin tone in the illustrations. In some cases, readers can also incorporate their hometown into the story. Through each story, Woods and Butterworth intend to inspire confidence in children and impart key skills.
The nine books are titled BE Safe, BE Independent, BE Yourself, BE Open, BE Good, BE Brave, BE Honest, BE Healthy and BE Imaginative. Each covers “hidden themes” such as diversity and inclusion, integrity, hygiene and screen time while sections at the beginning and end of each book create opportunities for the parent and child to discuss the issues raised.
Dad of two Butterworth said: “As parents ourselves, we know families are constantly looking for ways to better engage and educate their children. That’s why we created Be Held. We believe our books—through the children that read them—can create a ripple effect of positive outcomes, learning and hope for future generations.”
Woods, who has three children, added: “They’re not just stories, they’re dual-level adventures. When the main fantastical story ends there’s another side to the tale, which is based on a real-life event. For example, the BE Brave book is all about finding inner courage so as a knight’s adventure ends, you discover the ‘real story’ is about the child going to the dentist and needing to find inner courage.”