My Mum Ran a 5K’ - New Children’s Author Shares A Powerful & Positive Pester Power Message

Cheryl Thallon, mum, editor, campaigner, author, and founder of Suddenly Publishing and ethical company Viridian Nutrition publishes her first children’s book this month.  ‘My Mum Ran a 5k’ is written from a child’s perspective and it is a life-saving call to action for a trash-eating raccoon family.

First-time illustrator Charlie Tomkins has created a beautifully colourful, fully illustrated 36-page book.  Author Cheryl Thallon, 62, explains: “The narrator is 5-year-old Skye, who is desperate to get away from the TV and have fun with mum – but she’s always too tired.   One day, a chance comment lifts them off the sofa and down to health and happiness and gold medals!”

‘My Mum Ran a 5K’ is written to help families make a lasting connection between food, movement and long-term health and happiness.

Cheryl reflects: “The drive and desire to write this book came when my husband Shaun and I opened our own business ‘Sheaf Street Health Store’ in Daventry, Northamptonshire.  We soon became aware of the need to help families make the connection between food, movement, lifestyle and health and we found that children are incredibly receptive to these key messages and can also help inspire parents to take them onboard also.”

Cheryl adds: “The knowledge that the habits we have today are direct predictors of the health we will experience in the years ahead. By writing this story for children, maybe the connection between food, movement and health can be sparked.  If we love the NHS, then we must start and continue to love ourselves, making the decision to care for our own health so we can free up hospital beds for those less fortunate than ourselves.”

For four decades, supporting physical and mental wellness ethically has been Cheryl’s passion. She says: “My inspiration to write a children’s book this year has been fuelled by the mounting evidence that we are in a pandemic of rising obesity in the young but children that adopt good habits early can go on to be healthy 60-year-olds.  The recent report by Lord Darzi confirms and fuel the need for urgent action that we must all take to save the NHS which is in ‘critical condition’.”

‘My Mum Ran a 5K’ written by Cheryl Thallon, illustrated by Charlie Tomkins will be available from independent health stores and bookshops from the 28th September.  

Published by Suddenly Publishing Ltd. Cover price: £7.50. It can also be found www.viridian-nutrition.com