‘Derry really supports its own’ : author ‘delighted’ with book success

A Derry woman has told how the success of her debut book on mindfulness for children shows how much the practice, as well as discussing feelings with children, is needed.
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Miceala O’Neill is a creative mindfulness practitioner for children and released the book, ‘I Am Me - Creative Mindfulness for Kids’ just before Christmas.

After initially hoping to sell around 400 books, Miceala was encouraged to double her print run and the first 850 books sold out in just two weeks. Over 1,250 books have now been sold to date, with some being sent as far away as Australia and Canada.

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Two hundred of the books have also been donated to local groups such as Surestart, NSPCC, Foyle Women’s Aid and Action for Children - 100 from Miceala and a further 100 from a ‘very generous and lovely’ local gentleman who bought them and requested they go to children who would benefit.

Miceala O’Neill with her three daughters Seanan, Camara and Zara and granddaughter Kayla.Miceala O’Neill with her three daughters Seanan, Camara and Zara and granddaughter Kayla.
Miceala O’Neill with her three daughters Seanan, Camara and Zara and granddaughter Kayla.

Miceala said she ‘still can’t believe’ how popular the book has been and said her house ‘was like a post office’ before Christmas as she and her family packaged them up.

“It received an unbelievable response. I’ve been receiving messages from parents telling me how the book has really helped their child, which is brilliant. Others have come to me asking for advice. There’s been a big response from parents of boys. There can be a culture with boys of telling them things like boys don’t cry, or to suppress their feelings, which is wrong. Parents have got in touch to say that the book has really helped them to talk to their boys about feelings. That has meant a lot.

Teachers have been getting in touch too to tell me they’re using them or will be using them in class, which is amazing.”

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Before lockdown, Miceala taught mindfulness classes for children in Surestart and she’s happy the book has continued on from this when she couldn’t.

Miceala has been heartened by the support from local people.

Derry really supports its own and I’ve definitely seen that recently.”

She believes the success of the book is also a response to what has been a very uncertain and challenging time with Covid 19 and lockdowns.

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“What we’re living in is unprecedented. As adults, we’re finding it difficult, so it’s even harder for children. A lot of the feelings are really new to them. My daughter is four and I looked at her one day and wished I could read into her wee mind, to know her thoughts and feelings about what has been going on. It’s hard to keep it all away from children, they watch everything. I do think the success of the book is in some way a response to all this - the uncertainty for children.”

While 2020 was an uncertain year, it was a good one for newly engaged Miceala, who ‘learned so much’ about herself and went on a positive, fulfilling, mindfulness journey.

The book, I am Me is available at Claudes on Shipquay Street, Centra on the Trench Road and you can order via Miceala’s Facebook page ‘I am Me- Creative Mindfulness for Kids’.