A RANGE of books designed to empower children to understand and talk about big emotions was launched at the Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery on Saturday.

Author-illustrator Channon Gray addressed friends and family, and read Confident Scribble to assembled children. Further members of the Scribbles crew include Happy, Sad, Worried, Angry and Calm.

It’s the next stage in a successful career for Channon, who was named one of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce’s 30 Under 30 in 2025; received a Great British Entrepreneur Awards in November in recognition of her support for children with their mental health; and in January was among 100 women named by Small Business Britain as fabulous female founders.

As well as working for the NHS as an education mental health practitioner, Channon works under her own Exciting Teacher brand with Cornish schools to improve children’s mental health, wellbeing and emotional literacy through grab-and-go resources, training and simple classroom strategies.

“I’m really excited – I can’t wait for these books to be in the hands of children, and the parents and teachers who can support them,” said Channon.

Hilary Frank, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for children, attended the event and said: “We are seeing huge spikes in the numbers of children with mental health needs, whether down to Covid, the cost-of-living crisis or other factors. It isn’t always easy to describe our emotions, so to have books like these which encourage children to say how they feel is really important.”

Channon’s uncle, Cllr Steven Webb, jokingly described her as “the annoying achiever of our family”, adding: “I’m so proud. She amazes me. I think this will really make a difference to kids growing up, learning to manage their emotions.”

The books will be available from Thursday [February 12] at independent bookshops, Waterstones and Amazon. Channon will be visiting primary schools around Cornwall, including in Mylor Bridge and Newquay.