Author and Viridian founder Cheryl Thallon has launched a new children’s book titled ‘My Mum Ran a 5K’, offering families an engaging journey toward better health. Through the heart warming story of a raccoon family, the book emphasises the importance of health stores in fostering long-term wellness.
The story follows Skye, a 5-year-old trash eating raccoon whose mum has lost her energy and fun spirit. A chance comment motivates them to embark on a life-changing path toward health, leading them from their sedentary lifestyle to running 5K races and earning medals.
Cheryl emphasises the pivotal role of health stores in promoting well-being in the book. As a long time advocate for independent health retailers, she highlights their importance in providing access to natural, health-promoting products, as well as personalised advice. The book’s central pages bring readers into a vibrant health food store where Skye and her family meet knowledgeable staff who guide them on their path to wellness.
Cheryl, 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. ‘My Mum Ran a 5K’ is written to help families make a lasting connection between food, movement and long-term health and happiness.
“The hero of the story is Skye,” adds Cheryl, “but for me the absolute hero of the story is the health food store. In the centre pages, you walk into the health food store, you meet the staff and see how the kind lady in the shop helps them to make healthier choices.”
A mission for wellness
For Cheryl, this children’s book is another step in her lifelong commitment to wellness, having worked in health food stores, edited Natural Food Trader magazine, and founded Viridian Nutrition in 1999. Now, she continues her mission of empowering people to make healthier choices—starting with the youngest generation.
Released in celebration of Viridian Nutrition’s 25th anniversary, ‘My Mum Ran a 5K’ will be distributed to independent health stores across the UK, providing a resource for communities to engage in conversations about wellness.
Cherly, now 62, brings personal experience to the story. Having completed the Couch to 5K programme and finished the 5K leg of last year’s Viridian Daventry Triathlon in her home town of Daventry, Northamptonshire, she has experienced the health benefits of adopting better habits first-hand.
“The big question to my mind has been ‘What kind of 60-year-old do you want to be?’ Well, the habits we have today are direct predictors of the health we will experience in the years ahead. Obesity, heart disease, diabetes type 2 are 21st century illnesses and are largely lifestyle related. The good news is that often they can be reversed with lifestyle changes. Children that adopt good habits early can go on to be healthy 60-year-olds.”
“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.”
‘My Mum Ran a 5K’ is beautifully illustrated by first-time illustrator Charlie Tomkins, who brings the charming raccoon family to life in vibrant detail across the book’s 36 pages. Aimed at children aged 3 to 7, the book uses bright, engaging artwork to convey its important message about the connections between food, movement, and happiness.
Published by Suddenly Publishing Ltd, the book will be available from September 28, 2024, at a price of £7.50.
