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Children's author Natalie Reeves Billing is to release a new series of picture books orientated around mental health with Tiny Tree Press.
The first of three titles will be released in April 2022, with the second following later that year and the third in early 2023. James Shaw, the press' m.d. and publisher, acquired worldwide rights directly from the author.
Shaw said: "Natalie is an incredibly positive and proactive person, and that’s made working with her on these books a joy. From our first conversation, she got what Tiny Tree was all about and we’re so excited to bring such an important series to life with her."
Reeves Billing said: “Working with Tiny Tree, I feel a greater sense of creative freedom with my books and ideas, which I feel is a recipe for something uniquely magical. Being a part of the Tiny Tree team feels very much like family, and in that environment, I know I can find the best in myself and my work. I'm absolutely delighted.”
The author has self-published seven books for children. She also established Split Perspectivz, a social enterprise encouraging storytelling and reading. It's lead project, "Builder Book", is currently delivering tens of thousands of picture books, papercraft, stationary and more to children and families across Merseyside in time for Christmas.
“As parents, we all want to do the best we can to bring our little ones up in love and stability,” she said. “So when it comes to big topics, such as losing a loved one, anxiety, and sadness, it's hard to know how to approach it without taking away the magic glow of childhood. That's why well-crafted story books covering these phases of life are so important. It allows families to talk about sensitive issues in their own way. It's a much-needed support for parents when life gets tough.”
Written for children aged five and above, Reeves Billing’s series aims to start conversations around mental health and emotions, with the aim of allowing children to understand and express their feelings better from an early age. Reeves Billing’s prose will be accompanied by illustrations from Hannah Jesse, who made her debut earlier this year with Emma Mylrea’s novel Curse of the Dearmad (Tiny Tree).
Tiny Tree is an independent children’s book publisher based in Manchester, specialising in children’s picture books, chapter books and poetry, and is an imprint of Matthew James Publishing.