Dr Ffion Jones, Children's Author and Illustrator

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​I grew up in the beautiful seaside town of Beaumaris in North Wales where I spent a happy childhood creating fairy fortresses in the woods and crab fishing in the Menai Straits. Now living in Swansea with my husband and two lovely daughters, I'm happy to be back in Wales, living by the sea. 

I gained a PhD (Eng Lit) from the University of Wales, Bangor in 2005 and, soon after, began my writing career. I fell sideways into illustration from writing and have since then written and illustrated several of my own books and worked on projects for hospitals, universities, charities and individual commissions. I am the Co-director of Nurse Ted, which produces picture books to explain serious illnesses to children. In 2020, I set up Fly Me Stories to send personalised magical stories to seriously unwell children in the UK.

I am the founder of Mind Chapters CIC www.mindchapters.org, a unique, story-based wellbeing programme that helps children explore emotions, build resilience, and develop self-awareness through imaginative stories, reflection, and guided conversation. I also provide one-to-one coaching for children.

​I provide workshops in schools to improve confidence and self-belief. I am a passionate mental health advocate and use books as a tool to navigate difficult emotional experiences. I am also an accredited Child and Adolescent mental health coach and emotional wellbeing practitioner in schools (primary & secondary). I am also an anti-bullying trainer, providing workshops to schools and workplaces. 

Reviews

A warm, insightful, and empowering story that beautifully captures the inner world of a child living with emetophobia. Through Bodie's courage, humour, and struggles, kids learn that fear can be faced one small step at a time. This book is an invaluable resource for any child who longs to feel braver and less alone. ― Anna S. Christie, Emetophobia Specialist, Author of 'Emetophobia: Understanding and Treating Fear of Vomiting in Children' and Adults' and 'Conquer Your Emetophobia: Advice from a Therapist Who Overcame Her Fear of Vomiting'

This book is incredible. Dr. Jones tells an accurate and impactful story of what it's like living with emetophobia and why overcoming it is so challenging. Parents will get a view into their child's world of emetophobia and children will feel validated and be set on the path to a life free from fear. The intuitive response to emetophobia is often the opposite of what is required for recovery and this book explains this ironic concept with an engaging and compassionate story. I only wish I had this when I was a child struggling in school. ― Willy Schaller, Fellow Emetophobic in Recovery and Founder of Bia - The Phobia Recovery App

As a lifelong sufferer of emetophobia and now a parent, I found this book brilliant in helping your child with strategies to take control of their own ghost and live life to the full. ― Laura Davis, Emetophobic and Parent of a child with emetophobia

As both a clinician who has worked with anxious children for many years and a parent who has walked this road personally, I know how profoundly the fear of getting sick can shape a child's world. Emetophobia is far more common than most people recognize. I've seen it forcefully drive school avoidance, selective eating, social withdrawal, and a level of daily distress that families struggle to handle. What often looks like 'general anxiety' is in fact a very specific, very powerful fear-and one that is frequently overlooked in professional settings.

Bodie and the Ghost Showdown captures this experience with honesty and accuracy. Dr. Jones understands the internal logic of this phobia-the hypervigilance, the physical symptoms, the cycle of avoidance-and she brings it to life in a way that is accessible to children without diminishing the seriousness of what they're facing.

What I appreciate most about this book is that it doesn't simply name the problem; it gently guides children toward the skills that lead to real change. The story reflects the core elements of treatment: facing the fear, reducing safety behaviors, tolerating discomfort, and reclaiming the parts of life the phobia has taken away. It offers children the hope that they can be braver than their fear-and it shows parents what progress can look like.

For families dealing with emetophobia, resources are surprisingly limited. This book fills a genuine gap. It is heartfelt, clinically sound, and deeply validating for the child who feels alone in this struggle. I'm grateful Dr. Jones has given them a story that can open those doors.
― Dr. David Russ, licensed psychologist, Co-Author of 'Emetophobia: Understanding and Treating Fear of Vomiting in Children and Adults' and 'Emetophobia! The Ultimate Kids' Guide'

Mindfulness can be a hard concept for young children to comprehend, using a picture book such as Whispa and the Waves is a great resource. The teaching resources linked to the book link closely to the techniques already taught in schools which again really helped. We now have the book in our mindfulness area accompanied by a basket of shells and starfish, children as young as 4 years old are independently using Whispa's techniques when they need to calm down." Catrin Parton, Reception Teacher, Swansea

"I can't sing like Whispa the mermaid but I can breathe like her to help me be calm," Reception pupil, Swansea

"Through tear filled eyes. This is the most significant and important children's book that I've ever read. I'll treasure these words for a long time. What a beautiful gift to be able to give a child. Every child should have access to this book. What a truly gorgeous read." Jemma Buntin. 

"Knowing the context and inspiration for this book, it is both heart-breaking, soul-taking but ultimately a force of positivity. Ffion Jones specialises in writing books to help children work through difficult life issues, including the challenging subject of child bereavement. But should challenging issues, especially where children are concerned, be hidden away in a dark and unspoken place? Never! Stories must be told and inspirational lives must be held up high, for all to see." Dale Neal.

"This is a beautifully written book that deals with sensitive issues and emotions in a supportive and gentle way that will help families and children cope with the loss of a loved one. The illustrations are stunning and can be used to generate conversations within families and help children to explore their feelings and emotions. We are very fortunate to have this book in our school to help pupils who are dealing with illness or loss within their family. We are using it during Thrive and Elsa sessions and will read a little at a time, allowing the child time to talk about what is happening and how they feel. It has supported children in our school to talk about their own experiences and help them to understand that it's ok to feel a range of emotions. I honestly cannot recommend this book enough and feel that every school should have it to support those children who may are dealing with illness and grief within the family." Jenny Caddy.

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