Mirabel Lavelle Fulfils Promise to Her Grandchildren with New Children’s Book Highlighting Allergy Awareness
Mirabel Lavelle, a dedicated grandmother and passionate teacher from Sunderland, has kept a heartfelt promise to her grandchildren by writing and self-publishing a children’s book – Zeb, Jet and the Ice-Cream Calamity – aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of allergies. Two of her grandchildren suffer from severe milk and nut allergies, a fact that has shaped their lives and motivated Mirabel to share their story in a way that could potentially save lives.
“I’m on a mission,” Mirabel explains. “It’s a mission to make social environments safer for children like my grandsons. Wherever we go, we carry EpiPens, and the need for allergy awareness is something I believe people should understand deeply.”
Her book, “Zeb, Jet, and the Ice Cream Calamity“, is a fun and educational story featuring two lovable characters: Zeb, afriendly fox cub and Jet, a playful puppy. The adventure takes place near South Shields’ iconic Souter Point lighthouse, adding a local flavour to the narrative. Through their interactions, the two characters not only form an unexpected friendship but also spread awareness about allergies in a playful way—complete with a song.
Mirabel, who has always enjoyed telling her grandchildren stories, recalls, “One day, my eldest grandson asked me to write a story that included an allergy. That simple request inspired me to write something that children could enjoy while learning about the importance of being allergy aware.”
As a teacher and experienced storyteller, Lavelle incorporated her love for creative engagement into the book. She now leads workshops in schools and libraries, turning her book into interactive experiences for children. “We read the story, then engage in activities like creating art, songs, and even drama. We also play ‘what if’ games, imagining other allergens and creating new characters, which children love!”
Despite the relatively short length of the book, Lavelle emphasises how much effort and passion went into its creation. “The story itself is just 800 words, but the whole process—from working with a mentor and editor to finding the perfect illustrator—took 18 months,” she says. The illustrations, brought to life by talented local artist Amelia Clark -Sutton, bring vivid charm to the pages.
Lavelle’s book is available on Amazon, where it has received numerous five-star reviews for its heartfelt message and engaging narrative. For those interested in learning more about her work, Lavelle has also launched a website, writebymirabel.co.uk, where she shares her latest writing endeavours.
Although Zeb, Jet, and the Ice Cream Calamity was a labour of love, Lavelle is already working on future projects. “I’m halfway through a novel and have more children’s stories in the pipeline. Self-publishing is costly, but knowing this book could help save a life makes it all worth it.”
Her grandchildren remain her biggest inspiration and motivation. “They kept asking me, ‘Nana, how’s the book coming along?’ and that promise to them is what kept me going.”
Lavelle’s story is one of determination, love, and the power of storytelling to make the world a safer place for children living with allergies.
There will be a book launch in the New Year .
