The Cuddle Monster popped into my head a few years ago and like many other characters that run around in my thoughts it wouldn't let go.  The aim of the story was to bring comfort to little ones who might be fearful, anxious or afraid of the dark. After all, who didn't check under the bed for monsters when they were little? Here's a confession, I still do, do you?

I worked with the brilliant Jason Pickthall who created the artwork. He guided me through a process to discover the type of artwork that I'd like for the book and also shared his commercial experience in terms of how the book should look. Jason came up with a number of 'Cuddle Monsters' and I chose the one with three eyes and bright orange fur. I chose his name 'Oxy', which is short for Oxtytocin, sometimes referred to as the 'love' or 'cuddle' hormone.

A bit more about Oxy:-

1 He's an orphan. He was left alone in the middle of the night with only his rucksack and his Teddy, Jula for company.

2 He loves cloud-watching, being outdoors and chasing butterflies
3 He likes to sleep under your bed and munch up all of your bad thoughts when you sleep

4 He has a very loud, whistly snore!
5 He loves to cuddle (obviously), but he can tell when to cuddle and when not to as he knows not everyone likes 'cuddle-time'

6 Sometimes he gets sad because he doesn't know who his parents are or why he was left

7 He misses having a Big Brother or a Lil Sis

What Oxy doesn't know is that he's not the only cuddle monster and that there are a few just like him. He gets to find out in the next short story when he gets to meet them all. You can see a hint of the next story if you hover over the image of the cover of the first book. It's a photo of him at Cuddle Monster School!

Oxy's first book is an illustrated, rhyming picture book and you can order a personalised copy, with a message to your little one from Oxy for just £9.99 (this includes postage and packing, UK only).

You can order your personalised copy, by clicking here - Remember to add your little one's name and the short message that you'd like Oxy to send - e.g a Happy Birthday or a Well Done for doing so well at school/helping Mummy etc.

It's also for sale on Amazon. If you have a kindle you can also read it for on Kindle Unlimited.

Feedback from those who have read it and loved it has been very positive. One parent sent me a lovely message telling me that her little boy had slept through the night for the first time in a long time after Daddy had read them the Oxy story.

Oxy the Cuddle Monster loves to cuddle and who is intuitive enough to know when to cuddle and when not to.

He's here to give comfort, helping children who are anxious, fearful and afraid of the dark,

Warning: reading this book at bedtime may well help your child fall asleep more easily!