I have written a series of books for children under the banner The Other Stories. The first two which are available to buy are Goodbye Hobbs and Red is Home!
Please drop me a line on elbettridge@outlook.com if you would like to discuss Author visits for your school or education organisation. I’m based in Somerset and happy to travel. Teaching notes can be found HERE.
ilustrations by Josephine Birch – click HERE for her site
GOODBYE HOBBS
Merlin won’t go out. Not without his best friend Hobbs. Join Merlin as he goes on an adventure to learn how to say ‘Goodbye Hobbs’. A story of what it means to love and lose a friend, and to find reasons to go for a walk again.
Click HERE to buy a copy!
Q & A with Emma and Josephine:
Goodbye Hobbs Q&A with Emma Bettridge and Josephine Birch – Graffeg Books
Podcast interview for Equilogical podcast – listen HERE
Reviews:
‘This touching book is a must’ Sally Morris – Daily Mail choice of this year’s Children’s books 2022
‘(a) marvellous book. I love it!’ Monty Don
‘Author Emma Bettridge captures Merlin’s childlike spirit, curiosity and longing’ Maria Hodson for BBC Countryfile Magazine.
‘This would be a brilliant book to sensitively explore the idea of death and dying with all children – every teacher I have shown this to has had a tear in their eye by the end of the book.’ Mary-Rose Grieve, Just Imagine.
‘Goodbye Hobbs is an absolute joy to read aloud and a joy to look at – the design, the text layout, the illustrations… this book has a wonderful rhythm to the words and Josephine’s artwork is full of movement and fluidity like the wistful smells the main character chases.’ Clare Helen Welsh, Books That Help
‘An amazing story one that I recommend children reading as it might help them come to terms when grief strikes after an animal passes away.’ BookRead2Day
‘Quiet, meaningful, filled with feeling…a book that helps you find reasons to go for a walk again. Beautiful.’ Mary Esther Judy, FallenStar Stories
‘The illustrations are beautiful, perfectly capturing the whispers of memories in the trees.’ It’s All About Stories
BBC Countryfile Magazine review
Learning to Say Goodbye….Goodbye, Hobbs – FallenStar Stories (wordpress.com)
BOOKS THAT HELP – GRIEF/ LOSS – Clare Helen Welsh
Goodbye Hobbs | Red Reading Hub – Jillrbennett’s Reviews of Children’s Books
More about books review – Catherine Larner
Primary Times Devon recommendation and review
RED IS HOME
This is Red. Red lives in two homes and has special things he does in each. But Monday is moving day. What if the new house isn’t like the old one? What if there aren’t special things to do there? Follow Red on his adventure to discover his new home.
Click HERE to buy a copy!
‘This reassuring book shows that as long as you are loved, new challenges can be overcome.’ Sally Morris, Daily Mail
Emma Bettridge projects 