A TULLIBODY author has self-published her first children's book to help families deal with the loss of a pet.

Rochelle L Hanslow will release How to Rest on a Rainbow on December 4 with digital copies being available on November 11.

The book is for both adults and children and aims to help those who have lost their dog deal with their bereavement.

Rochelle, who prefers furry family member to the word pet, has had the idea for the book for around two years since her own dog Vader passed away and she had to explain what happened to her boys Macen, 4, and two-year-old Carson.

The book has been a real family effort as the illustrations were provided by her husband Dan.

Rochelle told the Advertiser: "To be honest, it's 2020: [I thought] let's roll the dice and see what happens.

"I was in a place where I thought I really had the time and the right head space to do it.

"The idea came when I had to talk to my own children about our dog passing away and I was trying to make sure I was being honest with them, but not in a harsh way.

"I explained the idea of a 'rainbow bridge' to them so now every time they see a rainbow they say Vader's saying hello.

"I started this at the start of the year, but every time I would sit down to go back over it I would read what I had and wouldn't know where to go.

"Eventually, I wrote down the synopsis of what I wanted the adventure of the dog to be like, who he could meet on the way, names for them and then put actual characteristics for them into it so it would be a fully realised story in my head and then the words came a lot easier."

Despite only just finishing her first book, Rochelle isn't slowing down and is already looking ahead.

She said: "I have an idea for a follow-up to this book and I've got an idea about something totally separate.

"I've also started writing something more for young adults upwards. I've got the ideas, it's just trying to put them into fruition.

"Pet bereavement is something a lot of people will go through, Scottish people are dog lovers by nature, I think.

"Especially during lockdown I've heard of quite a few people losing their pets so it must have been such a traumatic time for them.

How to Rest on a Rainbow is available to order now with physical copies releasing on December 4 and digital copies available now.

Visit www.madeyouloch.com/how-to-rest-on-a-rainbow for more information on the book and how to order.