When Brooke Turpin from Canning Town learnt of her grandad’s terminal illness she was encouraged to turn to her love of reading and writing as a way to stay connected with her emotions and to have an outlet for her grief.

Eliana Gouveia, Brooke’s mum, said:

She has always loved reading and often writes for fun and as an alternative to devices.

Brooke has been able to use her writing talents alongside her experience of illness and bereavement to publish her first book, titled Grandad Wasn’t Well as a way to help herself and other children who are also facing these issues.

Publishing her book has helped Brooke deal with the passing of her grandad and helped remove the fear she had of speaking about it. At this time when more children are facing bereavement, Brooke’s book has given a voice, where children often remain silent.

Brooke always told Eliana she would become an author, but Eliana didn’t dream it would be at eight years old!

Brooke is thrilled to publish her first book. She said:

I hope my book has encouraged many children and even adults to write about their feelings.

www.brooketurpin.com

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.