A Sunderland teacher and author has published the first of a series of children’s books to help young readers navigate the challenges of growing up.

Calum Rowland has published the first book in his latest series, titled Perfect (Almost), which explores the pressures many children put on themselves to be perfect.

Perfect (Almost) is a playful and reassuring story about Gus, a little dog, who has some very big feelings.

While Gus tries to be perfect, he does not always get it right.

Calum Rowland has published the first of a series of children’s books.

placeholder image — Calum Rowland has published the first of a series of children’s books.

The picture book helps encourage self-acceptance, resilience and the confidence to embrace mistakes – all as part of learning and growing.

Calum said: "The inspiration for the book came from watching children navigate increasingly high expectations while often being afraid to get things wrong.

"As a parent and educator, I wanted to create a book that reassures young readers that they do not need to be perfect to be valued, loved or successful.”

Calum has spent the last seven years living and working in Qatar and is due to return to his hometown of Sunderland early next month.

He said: “Although I have spent the last seven years living overseas, Sunderland has always been home.

"Returning to the city with my family while launching my latest book feels particularly special, and I hope local families will connect with the message at the heart of the story.”

Having worked in education for the past 15 years, writing children's books is “an exciting new chapter” for Calum.

He said: “Writing children's books represents an exciting new chapter and a creative pivot from my day-to-day professional life.

"While supporting children has always been at the heart of my career, storytelling has given me a new way to help young people explore important emotions and experiences.”

Perfect (Almost) will be the first book in a series called Big Feelings, Little People, which will help children navigate the challenges of growing up, through “engaging stories and a relatable character”.

Each book in the series will focus on a different aspect of emotional wellbeing, encouraging confidence, resilience, empathy and self-understanding in young readers.

The book can be bought online at https://bigfeelingslittlepeople.com/.