AN AUTHOR from Selby has won a national prize for one of her books.

Christina Gabbitas, who is an honorary member of the NSPCC council, was honoured at The People’s Book Prize for her book Share Some Secrets.

The book is aimed at young children and encourages them to talk about incidents or secrets which they do not feel comfortable with, and explains the difference between ‘good and bad secrets’ in language which is appropriate for primary-age students.

The book has previously been praised by the Ambassador for the Global Institute of Social Work, David Niven, who called it “an excellent way to help safeguard younger children without worrying them or over dramatising the risks”, and has been adopted by the NSPCC as a good way to encourage and educate young children.

Christina said: “I feel so proud to have won Best Achievement category in the People’s Book Prize. The book was chosen by a panel of judges because of the positive impact that it is having. I’m very grateful to the NSPCC for having confidence in my work that is helping to educate our young children.”

Christina, who is also a poet and voice artist, set up the Selby Children’s Literature Festival, which entertained hundreds of families since its first event last year, and Share Some Secrets was also made into a free online animation for families to use, thanks to students from Sheffield Hallam University.

Christina said: “I will continue to support the work of the charity and help them raise as much awareness and funds as possible and wish to offer huge thanks to the People’s Book Prize for thinking me worthy of such a fabulous award.”

For details or to buy the book online, raising funds for the NSPCC, visit shop.nspcc.org.uk/products/share-some-secrets