On Friday 26th October the kids and I took a train over to Cheltenham to deliver a cheque for £430 to children’s bereavement charity ‘Winston’s Wish’ for proceeds raised from our children’s bereavement book ‘The Magical Wood’. It’s always fantastic to visit this amazing charity, but this was extra special, as the kids were able to see why this very special book was written. As someone that also suffered grief, trauma and loss at a young age, this cheque is something that I’m hugely proud of (a little teary as I write this). I want to say a very big thank you to everyone that has supported, purchased and championed ‘The Magical Wood’. ‘The Magical Wood’ was written to help children...
WINNER: BRONZE FOR BEST DESIGNED/ILLUSTRATED BOOK FOR CHILDREN WHO: THE MAGICAL WOOD BY MARK LEMON WHAT: The Magical Wood is a story about loss, friendship and hope. A story to help children suffering from the loss of a parent or loved one and working in collaboration with children’s bereavement charity, Winston’s Wish (where proceeds will be donated) WHY: Having lost his father at a young age author Mark Lemon has used his own experience of bereavement to create a book that help young readers deal with the stages of grief. The judging notes were glowing with magical praise: Yvadney Davis (a top children's stylist) noted "Such a beautiful way to tackle a difficult subject." Michelle Kennedy (founder of the Peanut parenting app) said "Wonderful" and Little Spree founder Sarah Clark wrote "Lovely book,...
Dear Mark (12yrs), It’s Monday 11th May 1992. I am writing this letter to let you know that tomorrow your life is going to change forever. Nothing will prepare you for the grief and loss that you’re about to experience, but I want you to know that through this pain, you will go on to experience wonderful moments in your life. On Tuesday 12th May, you are going to wake up, get dressed, and go downstairs for breakfast. Dad will finish his coffee, pick up his briefcase and wave goodbye to you in the doorway. This will be the last time that you will ever see him again. At 3pm your teacher is going to ask you to go home...
IT’S THE END OF THE YEAR, SO I THOUGHT I’D FEATURE AN AMAZING DAD. MARK LEMON EVER SO GRACIOUSLY AGREED TO SPEAK TO US MAKING HIM THE VERY FIRST GUY WE’VE EVER INTERVIEWED. Lemon Drop Books – Lemon Drop Books is an award winning children’s book family publishers from Bristol, UK.Disillusioned with the lack of diversity in children’s books, Mark Lemon decided to create a series of exciting story books with non-white characters. With thrilling tales and beautiful adventures, the Otis & Thea Lemon series is fast becoming a firm favourite in family households. This Christmas Lemon Drop Books donated proceeds from every copy of, Otis Lemon and the Spectacular Submarine, to children’s bereavement charity, Winston’s Wish. The charity lies...
Reminiscing back to Christmas 1991. It was Xmas eve, Stockings laid out, A whiskey and mince pie for one. Christmas morning arrived, It was 1992, But there was one person missing, Dad, it was you. The year that you passed, Christmas lost its cheer. Ever since that year, I would shed a tear. The loss, The heartache, The feeling of pain. The knowing, That I would never see your face again. When you lose a loved one that magic of Christmas fades. A space that will never be replaced, It hurts most in the December days. Fast forward to Christmas 2011. The hole in my heart had been replaced, New life had been given. I now had a son, a...
