A father-of-two from Droitwich has written a book to bring comfort to those worried about someone they love dying or may have experienced the death of someone close.

‘Cuddles Are Forever’ is a children’s picture book by Justin Bowen – and based on a story that he wrote for his young children after their mum sadly died of breast cancer in 2019.

“My children, Brennan and Seren, were aged five and seven when their mum Helga died,” Justin explained.

“To help them in their grief, I would tell them a story about how scientists have shown that energy never dies, and that because every cuddle their mum gave them created heat, which is energy, they could be sure their mum would always be with them.

“The story brought them a lot of comfort, and they liked to hear it often.

“Sometime later I shared the story on Twitter, and it had a very positive response. Several people said they thought it would make a great children’s book so, working with illustrator Charity Russell, I created ‘Cuddles Are Forever’.

The book was published on Amazon on September 7, the day before the Queen died – and Justin said he didn’t realise just how relevant his book would be.

“Many people have said how children have been impacted by the Queen’s death, whether by raising anxieties about the people they love dying or triggering difficult emotions and memories for those who’ve experienced the death of someone important in their lives,” Justin added.

“I hope that my book will bring comfort to anyone affected, as although it is a story written mainly for children, I feel that adults will be helped by it too.”

‘Cuddles Are Forever’ is Justin’s third book, following on from ‘Fighting For This Life’ and ‘Be The Rainbow’.

It is available from Amazon at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cuddles-Are-Forever-Justin-Bowen/dp/1916874681