Roberts wrote Sadsville<\/em> in support of the invaluable work of the NSPCC and Childline. It contains an emotional well-being self-help guide and details of how to contact Childline. It forms part of the campaign to help children’s mental well-being that is the mainstay of the author’s own charity The Martin Roberts Foundation (reg no 1172905) which aims to give a free copy of the physical book to every child in year 4 (8 & 9 year olds) in the UK. So far over 30,000 books have been distributed, with more to come.<\/p>\n Peter Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC says: \u201cCurrently, we are hearing from children in their thousands who have been cut off from vital support networks such as school and friends, and that has increased their feelings of loneliness and vulnerability. However, there are many more out there who are suffering in silence, which is why we are doing all we can to let children know we are still here for them.<\/p>\n \u201cUsing Basil Brush to narrate Sadsville<\/em> is a unique and entertaining approach to letting even more children know how they can contact Childline if things are tough, and I am confident it will be very successful.\u201d<\/p>\n Martin Roberts comments: \u201cI have my own kids aged 10 and 13 so I understand the pressures that lockdown has put on young people.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Villes is a series of magical and whimsical books aimed at children aged 6 to 10. In Windyville<\/em> it\u2019s always windy, in Tiredsville <\/em>everyone is always tired, in Latesville<\/em> everyone is always late, in Sadsville <\/em>everyone is always sad\u2026 and so on\u2026 and the reader has to work out why.<\/p>\n \u201cThe books in general encourage problem solving and fire the imagination in readers of all ages. Sadsville<\/em> in particular encourages children to question their own emotions and ‘think outside the box’ as to why they may be struggling with unhappiness. It helps them find ways to feel happier and to reach out for support if they need it.\u201d<\/p>\n Basil Brush says: \u201cIt was a booming pleasure to be part of Mr Martin\u2019s wonderful book, to read his lovely story and help the NSPCC and their Childline service at the same time. The illustrations are perfect, but for some reason I felt peckish at the end – you\u2019ll know why when you read it. It might even bring a tear to your eye …\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/education-today.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/Martin-Roberts-with-his-Childrens-book-Sadsville-in-support-of-the-NSPCC-200x300.gif\")
Martin has enlisted the support of legendary children\u2019s entertainer and all round good fox, Basil Brush, to create a charming narrated and partially animated version of Sadsville,<\/em> a magical and whimsical illustrated book from his \u2018Herman and the Magical Bus to The Villes\u2019<\/em> series. The recording has just been released on YouTube for general viewing, and is also being sent out with an accompanying home study pack FREE to all primary schools in the UK, with a view to them passing it on to their pupils.<\/p>\n