Rosador and the Dark Forest: (Pt. 1 Night Knight - Therapeutic Bedtime Stories)

The author uses her background experience in counselling, to help children who are struggling with feelings like guilt, shame, depression, and other immobilising and self destructive emotions. During times of change and challenge, it is very easy, and often inevitable, that a child can assume they they've done 'something wrong' and there's 'something wrong 'with them. The author uses various fantasy characters who undergo various challenges, and are shown by their friends, in ways that children can respond and relate to easily, that they are not the cause of the circumstances. The book has been carefully crafted to help children develop a sense of wholeness, happiness, peace and self confidance. This helps them avoid self injurious preoccupations with seeking other's approval, or need to control and dominate, as they become older.

Table of Contents:
Chapter One Orion's Stormy Flight Part 1... p1 Part 2... p11 Looks at bereavement from a child's perspective, exploring feelings commonly experienced during these times, including sadness, guilt, loneliness, anger and loss. This story takes children on an adventure into Cloakwood Forest, where Orion the elf is suffering from the death of his younger brother. He is guided by his elf friend, Rosador, to visit the Calm Tree over on the northern shore of Wellness Island. Here, immersed in the soothing atmosphere of the kindly tree, Orion is helped to come to terms with his brother's passing. He returns to his old state of relaxed calm, and is able to help a friend called Alanisoar to overcome the death of her brother. Chapter Two Lost in the Valley Part 1... p21 Part 2... p28 Enters the world of adult separation, and looks at rejection, abandonment, feeling unloved, disillusionment, confusion and grief. During this chapter Fumblekins gets lost in the valley, which is well known for its desolate and menacing atmosphere. Fumblekins has been carrying feelings of rejection and abandonment inside him that have robbed him of his self-sufficiency and confidence in dealing with challenges. As the day starts to turn into night-time, young Fumblekins, cold and alone, wonders if he will ever be rescued from the scary dark valley. His dark fairy is out to get him - what will become of him? Luckily fate steps in and Rosador takes Fumblekins home with her on an amazing journey to Cloakwood Forest. Chapter Three The Fulture Kingdom Part 1... p39 Part 2... p48 Explores the nature of bullying, from both sides of the coin. Here we look at low self-confidence, shame, confusion and unworthiness. This story takes children into the world of the winged fultures where we witness the bullying and domineering behaviour of the Fulture King. The cruel king is shown by Rosador the elf that he doesn't need to continue ruling in the way he does. He soon finds himself in the healing environment of Cloakwood School, where creatures discover how to become self- loving, confident and happy. Chapter Four Attack of the Hobgoblins Part 1... p56 Part 2... p66 This last chapter ends with an exploration into the more general sense of unease that often manifests as childhood insomnia and anxiety. Feelings that commonly lie behind these symptoms are those of being unlovable, inadequacy, confusion and self-doubt. During this story we encounter the plight of Norrin the hobgoblin, who suffers from sleeplessness and anxiety. Norrin goes to stay with Fumblekins the fulture and his mother, living for the first time as one of a family. Here he is shown the power of love, compassion and courage by Fumblekins and his feathered friends, who rescue him from a dangerous stretch of the river. Norrin starts to overcome feelings of anxiety and lack of confidence that have plagued him since early childhood, and he is able to respond positively to the love and warmth shared freely with him.

About the Author :
Emma Piers was born in Kent in 1958. She has combined her skills in creative writing with her background in counselling,to create her therapeutic stories. All her work is co-created with her partner Mark Turner, who provides the illustrative content. Emma attended creative writing courses when her two children were young, and started writing as a hobby from that time onwards. She lives in Dorset, and loves wandering along the amazing coastlines,walking in the New Forest, and exploring and learning about natural environments everywhere.

Review :
These bedtime stories are a wonderful method of inspiring a sense of safety and open communication between children and the parent / carer who is reading the story. The expression of difficult feelings is encouraged and accepted, and the stories leave the listener with a great sense of safety and security. I recommend these stories to young people up to the age of twelve, and their carers. Everyone is likely to benefit for those undergoing difficult life experiences, losses and transitions.A" Dr Julia Ronder, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist