A BOURNEMOUTH teacher has written a children's book about adult-to-child bullying.

Puffed Up Pearlette is the debut book of a new series called Teeny Tales for Growing Minds, which aims to support the personal, social, health and relationship education curriculum for early years and key stage 1 children.

Written by key stage 1 teacher Becky White, the book was launched at the Bournemouth Writing Festival at the end of April.

The book was illustrated by Emma Watremetz and Elana Evans, students at Arts University Bournemouth.

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New book series supports early years education with stories on real-life issues (Image: AUB) Claire Reilly from Wakey Wakey Arts, who commissioned and directed the book, said: "At its core, this is a story about adult-to-child bullying.

"It sounds heavy and serious and as a topic it is, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen and shouldn’t be talked about."

The project promotes early reading and responds to findings by the National Literacy Trust, which showed the lowest level of reading enjoyment since 2005 among five to 18-year-olds.

The project also included theatre and storytelling workshops for key stage 2 students, sponsored by BCP Council's youth fund.

The workshops aimed to empower students, inspiring them to write about their own lived experiences.

Wakey Wakey Arts is now seeking funding to turn Puffed Up Pearlette into an interactive children's dance/theatre show for key stage 2 children.