THE mother of a Worcester toddler who died from flu has written a special book to help other parents cope with the loss of a child.

Tamara Whitty died on November 22, 2003, at the tender age of three years, four months and 10 days.

The youngster had contracted the Fujian strain of the illness.

"Losing Tamara was the most horrendous thing," said Lynette Whitty. "When I was going through the grieving process I wrote down lots of things, feelings and thoughts.

"Eventually, I decided to collect them all together into a book. The book is a story to help my children come to terms with the loss of their sister, and for my nephews and nieces and all our family and friends who knew and loved Tamara."

Tamara was a twin and her brother Christian, now aged seven, helped their mother with the book, along with older sister Claudia, 13.

"The book was a real family effort," said Mrs Whitty, of Bolton Avenue, Warndon Villages.

"Claudia drew the pictures and Christian helped with his thoughts."

The book is called Tippytoes over the Rainbow - Tamara was known as Tippytoes to her family.

"I believe our loved ones are still with us just over the rainbow," Mrs Whitty said.

"I hope that my story is going to give light and love to other families who are suffering, not just in our country, but also all over the world, and to children who are going over the rainbow and to the other side."

Mrs Whitty has already donated 30 copies of her book to children's hospices across Britain, as well as her local doctors' surgery, Great Orm-ond Street Hospital, Fladbury First School, where Christian attends, and a Worcester church.

"My family in America had also passed my book on to families who have lost a child," she added.

"If it can help others then that's fantastic." Mrs Whitty is currently negotiating with Waterstones to get her book into stores nationwide.

If you are interested in buying a copy of the book, you can do so by e-mailing Mrs Whitty at