A Guide from South Lanarkshire has written and launched her own book about the importance of talking about your worries.

Rosie is now 11 but was 10 when she first wrote and illustrated the picture book. It features the characters Sam and Sienna, along with the approachable Sparkles the Worry Monster, guiding readers through an emotional journey.

Rosie shared what inspired her to start writing the book:

“I was very lucky to get a Chromebook for my Christmas when I was 8 and also a worry monster that I named Sparkles. I love reading and I started to write stories of my own.

“Sparkles is the only book I have properly finished writing so far. It seemed to come pretty easily. Most of the sections in Sparkles come from my own experiences – being scared of storms, practising for a spelling test, and chip shops chips from the chip shop – the best kind!

“The book is about a set of twins who get their own Sparkles. He helps them with all of their worries, but he has worries of his own!

“I was inspired to write the book because I love reading! And I was starting to write my own stories and one night my own Sparkles was sitting next to my computer. So I thought – that’s a good idea for a book.

“Having my own Sparkles. I loved the idea of feeding him worries and them disappearing. Talking about worries is very helpful. Even if it is to your cuddly toy! After I decided to write about Sparkles, the story came very quickly.

“I feel really pleased to have written the book. I’ve been nervous, excited and I’m very grateful to have had the support of friends and neighbours. Our neighbour Elsa has just started Art School and she provided amazing illustrations. Then our friend and next door neighbour Jacob brought my words and Elsa’s drawings together with his graphic design skills to make it all look like an actual book.”

Rosie read her book to the Rainbows and Brownies in her area and even managed to sell about 10 copies – all signed with a personal message to whoever bought a copy.

Before Christmas she then launched her book in a local gift shop. Rosie shared,

“There is a lovely gift shop that my Gran is in all the time, so they kind of know me too! One of my Leaders from Brownies and Rainbows works there and suggested that the gift shop could stock the book.

“My Dad went for a coffee with the manager, then we both went in for a chat and arranged the night.

“The gift shop put on pizza which all of my friends loved! Family, friends and people I didn’t even know came to the night and I got to sign my autograph in all the books sold. It was great fun.”

But Sparkles won’t be Rosie’s only book, as she has more stories to tell! She said,

“I have some title ideas, a few notes and unfinished stories and the main one I am working on now is called The Unburstable Bubble. It’s maybe for a slightly younger audience than Sparkles and it’s taking a little longer to finish. But I aim to finish by the end of the Easter holidays when I’ll have more time to sit and write.”

You can buy a copy of Rosie’s book here