BUILDING CHARACTER

Author Katie Piper speaks to us about celebrating our differences and how to boost confidence in little ones

- KATE LOCKETT & LYDIA MORMEN

Katie Piper has learnt to celebrate all the things that make her unique, rather than trying to hide them. Now the writer, broadcaster and mother of two is sharing everything she's picked up about the power of confidence in her second children's book, Together We Are Stronger.

"The book underlines a message very close to my heart the power of unity in difference and the importance of celebrating diversity," Katie tells us. "As a mother, I know that children respond just as well to messages of hope as adults do. Building self-confidence and strength is an essential cornerstone during formative years."

Here, Katie, 40, talks about why she got her daughters with husband Richard Sutton Belle, ten, and six-year-old Penelope - involved in the writing process, and shares her tips for starting a new school year.

Katie, what was the inspiration for Together We Are Stronger, the second book in your Teeny Mouse series?

"It started with the first book, All You Need, and this character called Teeny Mouse. She's female and small, but she's mighty. The first book was about overcoming fear and anxiety.

"This one has a really different message. It's about beauty and the power of diversity, which is sometimes quite a hard message to translate to a younger audience. Little ones are growing up in a divided world, so it's about celebrating our diverse gifts and all of our talents. And if we use them as part of a team, just like the title says, together we are so much stronger."

How did your daughters contribute?

"I got them involved from the beginning. Writing a book about beauty for four- and five-year-olds is actually really hard.

"I try so hard with my kids to give them self-esteem and self-worth, but of course, I'm not a perfect parent, and they have their own differences and struggles, like any other child.