Invisible Ed

Invisible Ed is a children’s book that addresses child mental health and anxiety that is so apparent in today’s world. Ed is a quiet, conforming boy. Never gets into bother, keeps himself to himself and goes through life pretty much unnoticed by those around him. It isn’t until Ed’s best friend, Sam, leaves town that his whole world as he knows it comes crumbling down. Alone and feeling isolated, Ed’s one wish is to become permanently invisible and disappear altogether. One day, after a run-in with the local bully, Ed discovers that his wish has become a reality... thanks to his shadow. He spends the next few crucial hours of his life going unseen by everyone he knows but in this time, notices just how much he was a part of his family, school community and how even Brad the bully has his own home issues and anxiety that he is dealing with secretly. Ed learns a true life lesson, that life is precious, and it is what you make of it. He sees that every person on earth has their own struggles and personal demons, but that running away isn’t the answer. This book aims to tackle the key issues deep rooted in young people’s lives in today’s society. Through my work in education and memories of childhood, I have seen first-hand how anxiety and depression in young people can spiral and be such a dangerous thing. This book gets right to the heart of some children’s thoughts and beliefs and shows what life would be like if they were to disappear. A heart-warming tale that lets all its young readers know that they are special, unique, and no matter how much they don’t know it yet, they are important. Sophie Wilkinson, Author

Sophie Wilkinson was born and grew up in Retford, Nottinghamshire with her mum, dad and sister - to whom she is very close. As a child, her dad told her endless bedtime stories, and she always loved how he could create something from his own imagination. She knew that when she left school, having grown up with a love of books, she wanted to pursue English. Sophie spent four years studying English language, literature and education at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln and then went on to become a primary school teacher. Her favourite time of the day at school, no matter the age group she’s taught has always been story time. “When I read to my children in class, I see the anticipation on their faces and watch them completely lose themselves in the story”, she says. Having always dreamed of writing her own book, she started on her very first story idea with a character she named Ed. What began as a single character soon turned into a chapter and then a manuscript. Aside from teaching and story writing, Sophie loves nothing more than country hikes, trips to new places and any type of music from rap and pop, to Motown and soul.