Good morning,

Here's some information about a gorgeous new children's book (complete with CD and magic wand!) written by a British Mum of two girls who struggled with sleep deprivation in the early years, as many parents do! Catherine Wright Smith moved to Australia (she married an Aussie) in 2011 and came up with the idea for a story to encourage her children to have the courage to resettle themselves when they wake in the night. It worked, so now she's sharing her success with other parents in Australia and the UK. Actress Lucy Benjamin reads the story on the CD and is supporting the publication of the book, which will see 50p for every sale going to Rosie's Rainbow Fund. Lucy Benjamin (Detectorists, Casualty, Eastenders) is a patron for the charity which supports sick and disabled children and also provides bereavement support for families. The charity is a vital source of support for children and families in schools, hospitals and the community.

Catherine Wright Smith (Author of The Sparkly Sleepy-Time Wand) and Lucy Benjamin are available for interviews together on July 10th, 13th - 15th in London. Catherine lives in Australia but has flown over to the UK to promote the book ahead of its release on September 30th. 
 
Review copies will be available from August (please email us if you want to see a copy) and we can arrange telephone/Skype interviews at other times, but for an interview with Lucy Benjamin and Catherine please contact us ASAP to arrange. Catherine is available for editorial commissions regarding sleep aids, strategies to help toddlers sleep better and longer, and her personal experiences of being a British parent in Australia, her expat life, and other aspects of parenting.
 
Thank you, 
Helen Lewis
Director - Literally PR Ltd 

Advance Information Sheet

The Sparkly Sleepy-Time Wand

Written by Catherine Wright Smith

Genre: Children (Under 7s)

Published: 30^thSeptember 2015

Beautifully illustrated picture book comes with a magical wand hidden in a secret compartment for children to take to bed with them to help them sleep and a CD with an audio version of the story read by actress Lucy Benjamin

Parents lose out on an average of six weeks of sleep in a single year of caring for a newborn, but after a few years of broken nights, sleep deprivation can really take its toll. Many children wake because they're frightened of the dark and/or don't know how to re-settle themselves without Mum or Dad. Author, Catherine Wright Smith, wroteThe Sparkly Sleepy-Time Wandto help her then three-year-old feel comfortable enough to resettle herself to sleep when she awoke in the night, without having to shout and scream for Mum. It worked. So, she's decided to share her story with other sleep-deprived parents!

Live Interview Opportunity - UK

The author is due to fly into London from Australia for live interviews with actress Lucy Benjamin (supporter of the book, patron of Rosie's Rainbow Foundation and the storyteller for the audio CD included in the book). They will be available for interview on July 10^th, 13^th, 14^thand 15^thJuly 2015.

Advance copies for review due August 2015, images, editorial commissions & interviews to be discussed with Literally PR Ltd

info@literallypr.com

+44 (0) 8709619069

Help is at hand!

The Sparkly Sleepy-Time Wandis not just a beautiful book, with gorgeous illustrations and a charming story line, but each reader gets their very own sparkly sleepy-time wand in a secret compartment at the back of the book. Little touches such as these make it a perfect gift for the princess in your life! The book works as a tried and tested sleep aid to help young children (particularly seven and under) learn how to resettle themselves and get a full night of sleep (great news for them and for their parents!).

Celebrity appeal

The actress Lucy Benjamin (most well known for her role in Eastenders and most recently for starring in Detectorists) brings the story to life in her animated audio version of the story on the accompanying CD included with the book. As a Mum to two daughters, Catherine has written a book for them - that she hopes other little girls will enjoy too. Catherine explains: "The enchanting tale sparkles with beautiful illustrations and is packed with all the things that all young girls like Grace and Evie love (whether they've perfected their sleeping habits or not!) including fairies, magic fairy dust, rainbows, palaces and sparkly wands".

Rosie's Rainbow Fund

A donation of 50p for every book sold goes to the children's charity Rosie's Rainbow Fund (Lucy Benjamin is a patron) supporting sick and disabled children in schools, hospitals and the community.

About the author

Born in England, Catherine Wright Smith married an Aussie and moved to Australia in 2011 with their two young daughters, Grace and Evie. It was in Australia that she wroteThe Sparkly Sleepy-Time Wandwhen her eldest daughter was just three (in the midst of sleep deprivation territory).

Catherine returns to the UK when she can and has worked in marketing for Allianz and for children's charities including Barnados and The Children's Society.

The Essential Details

Price: £9.99 with wand & CD

ISBN: 9780993276804

Available for pre-order from August 2015:Grace & Evie(website coming soon)

Release Date:30^thSeptember 2015 (national sales & distribution)

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