Offaly teacher teams up with Dunnes Stores to stock her children's wellbeing book

Offaly native and primary school teacher Julie-Ann Carroll has teamed up with Dunnes Stores to stock her debut children's book in stores nationwide.

The Westmeath-based teacher and a children's author and illustrator, self published her children's wellbeing book last September, 'Our Super Teacher', and has since gotten it stocked in over 30 stores nationwide.

Now the self-published book is finally on the shelves of Dunnes Stores across Ireland as of Friday.

The book deals with children's mental health, which Carroll describes as an area "which requires huge focus and support at the moment".

"My book is based on supporting children’s wellbeing and written in the hope of educating them on the different strategies and methods that they can use to care for and support their emotional, mental and physical development and wellbeing," Carroll said.

The Offaly teacher revealed that the inspiration for the book came from my dear friend Aoife, who sadly passed away last year.

"Aoife was a primary school teacher, who I had the pleasure of working with, Julie-Ann said. "She was passionate about supporting children in their wellbeing and teaching them life skills that they could use to support their mental, emotional and physical health."

"Aoife practised these skills with the pupils daily and the resulting behaviour and sense of calmness amongst the children was clearly evident almost immediately."

In her book dedication, Carroll describes Aoife as "a true inspiration to everyone that she met."

"She taught us how to embrace the gifts that are given to us each day, how to open our eyes and see all that is around us and how to live life to the full."

Carroll is passionate about promoting wellness amongst children, and says she discovered her love for writing and illustrating during her pregnancy with her youngest child, Luca. 

When she is not writing or illustrating Carroll enjoys spending time at home with her husband Mark and her three beautiful children Jack, Mae & Luca. They live in County Offaly, where the author grew up.