New novel launched as part of a pioneering creative approach to supporting children's mental health

• A new children’s novel designed to help adolescent children and grown-ups in their lives to understand and manage their emotions has launched during Children’s Mental Health Week. 
• Described as “Well written, moving, humorous, emotionally honest” by acclaimed children’s author, David Almond, Melva Mapletree and the Great Undoing follows the story of an almost 12-year-old navigating the challenges, uncertainty and hilarity of adolescence. 
• As well as being an entertaining read, the book will support conversations with children about difficult topics and feelings - at a time when the UK is facing a mental health crisis among children and young people 

North East creative learning charity Mortal Fools launches Melva Mapletree and the Great Undoing, described by acclaimed children’s author, David Almond, as “well written, moving, humorous, [and] emotionally honest.” The book follows the story of an almost 12-year-old navigating the challenges, uncertainty and hilarity of adolescence.  

The illustrated novel is the latest addition to MELVA, the multi award-winning digital programme by Northeast creative charity, Mortal Fools, so far used by over 16,000 children in primary schools across the North. Developed over several years, the programme was created in direct response to the national children’s mental health crisis in the UK, with Public Health England now stating that 1 in 5 children have a diagnosable mental health condition and suicide now the leading cause of death for 5-35 year olds. 

With statutory services unable to keep up with demand, the MELVA programme takes a preventative approach, using interactive storytelling and creative digital resources to help children develop their emotional education, resilience and self-regulation capabilities.  

Independent evaluation of the programme demonstrates significant improvements in the confidence, emotional understanding, social skills and willingness / ability to talk about their feelings in the children who have taken part.  

Co-authored by Kiz Crosbie, CEO of Mortal Fools, and children’s writer and theatre-maker Danielle Slade, the book has been written using feedback from hundreds of children, teachers and parents, together with support from children’s mental health specialist, Kalmer Counselling, with the characters and their experiences beautifully brought to life through illustrations by Lily Mae Kroese. 

“This isn’t just an entertaining book,” said Kiz Crosbie. “As with any relatable story, it can help children feel less alone in their experiences. It can be hard for us at any age to understand and manage our big emotions, but children are often without the language to make sense of it. Talking about these topics through the story’s characters and their experiences is a sensitive and accessible way to open important conversations between children, their peers and grown-ups.” 

Danielle Slade added: “I believe every young person should read this book. It’s Melva Mapletree’s coming-of-age story; one of self-discovery, testing boundaries, and unearthing parts of her past that help her understand who she truly is. I wish I’d had a book like this when I was younger!”     

​Melva Mapletree and the Great Undoing will launch at Live Theatre, Newcastle, during national Children’s Mental Health Week, bringing together interested parties from health, education, local authorities and the cultural sector. Attendees will also experience an interactive installation inspired by the book and Mortal Fools are running free family sessions across February half term week, in partnership with Live Theatre’s Live Tales.  

Jack McNamara, Artistic Director/Joint CEO of Live Theatre: "We are really happy to be supporting this launch, with the wonderful Mortal Fools and our close collaborator Danielle Slade. In the year that Live Theatre’s children’s creative writing programme Live Tales turns ten, this is the time to shout as loudly as possible about the brilliance of young creativity." 

Click here to find out about our FREE Family Creative Workshops this February half term week. 

FUNDED LICENCES are available for primary schools interested in the Melva Programme. Click here to register your interest.