Three Welsh companies collaborate to create "game changing" wellbeing books for young children
A huge hit when trialled in schools across three Welsh counties, Tom the Lion is a new series of five books aimed at children who may be experiencing anxiety or other problems with socialising. The series follows Tom and his squirrel friends Hazel and Sid, and is designed to promote literacy, wellbeing, and good mental health.
The series has been praised by Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson, Headteacher at Anderton Park Primary School in Birmingham:
“I love the way feelings are usualised and reflected upon, from loneliness to happiness, impatience to gratitude. The stories show how simplicity and thoughtfulness are such an important part of our lives. It is excellent that Welsh Education and Y Lolfa are leading the wellbeing way in such a beautiful clear way.”
The series has also been endorsed by Professor Robert Klassen of Oxford University:
“The Tom
the Lion series is an engaging read for young children, with attractive
illustrations, and gently addresses serious topics such as the importance of
social relationships, awareness, and being physically active.”
Author and creator John Likeman has 20 years’ classroom experience, and has also worked as a lecturer in Education for the University of Wales and as a consultant for the Welsh Government. He was made a Fellow of Oxford University in 2015. The author is known for his work on developing digital solutions for classroom wellbeing through his company Raven Technologies Ltd, which also funds university research into wellbeing.
“The idea behind Tom the Lion comes from remembering the effect that playing Sleeping Lions had on me as a child. I used to look forward to this moment of peace all week. Years later, as a teacher, I made opportunities for my pupils to find their moments of peace each day – and the children loved the Sleeping Lions moments too. After 20 years of teaching, I went on to develop biometric systems and software with Raven Technologies Ltd., which enable anxious children to find calm. The books in the Tom the Lion series were thoroughly trialled in schools in Swansea, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire. Pupils and teachers love the aspirational text. The pupils connected with the characters and the stories facilitated pupil discussions about their own wellbeing.”
The books deal with challenging subjects, such as peace, loneliness and empathy. Each story in the series is
based around one of the New Economics Foundation (NEF)’s ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’: connecting, keeping learning, being active, taking notice and giving [See notes].
The illustrations have been crafted to soften the message of the series and make it more accessible and easier for young people to understand. Jon Rennie, Managing Director at the award-winning Cloth Cat studios in Cardiff, says:
“Cloth Cat is delighted to continue its partnership with Raven Technologies on the new Tom the Lion books. The series represents a collaboration of storytelling and education that will support children both at home and school, giving parents the help they need to navigate these important subjects.”
The series is available in Welsh (Twm y Llew) as well as in English, with a QR code in every book that links to a dedicated website with a free audio book – a bonus for children with reading issues, who will benefit from listening to the stories as they follow in the books.
“There are plans to develop Tom the Lion into an animated series, and we want to add further titles to the book series,” says John Likeman.