New books honour `angels’ ahead of World Prematurity Day

A series of children’s books written by Cashmere author Kelly Maree Luckman celebrate the life of her son Oskar and honour the memory of his twin, Oli.

The series, Oskar’s Adventures, teaches children important life lessons through delightful rhyming stories about topics such as friendship, imagination and dealing with a fear of storms.

The first three books in the series are available for presale, with delivery later this month, and will also be sold at Dymocks Chermside.

Kelly says the books are dedicated to infants who didn't make it, and to all the doctors and nurses around the world in Neonatal Intensive Care Units fighting to save little lives, with a percentage of all proceeds donated to the Precious Wings and RBWH foundations.

Supporting families

Ahead of World Prematurity Day on November 17, Kelly says her goal is to support bereaved families and raise awareness about the struggles of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder due to infant loss.

The mission is personal for Kelly – she lost her son, Oli, on New Year’s Day 2016 after he and brother Oskar arrived prematurely on Christmas Eve 2015.

“I know so many families have experienced this,” Kelly says.

“Since losing Oli and starting my author journey, so many people have come forward to express their suppressed grief about losing their angel.”

“This just isn't a topic that comes up in normal conversation, even within a family, and this is what I want to change,” Kelly explains.

Remembering `Angels’

She hopes the dedication pages in her books will help families talk about their angels, no matter how hard, as it is a topic she discusses at length with Oskar.

“I’m so lucky to have one healthy boy who inspires me,” Kelly says.

Kelly is now writing The Purple Dragonfly, about life in the NICU, which she hopes will help families with their hospital journey, surviving infant loss and coping long term with PTSD and anxiety.

“It will include a diary to encourage parents to write about their experience,” she says.

“Writing then about my hospital experience and sharing my story now, has helped me through my time in the NICU and is now repairing my soul.”

To order Oskar and the Bear, Oskar and the Moon Rocks and Oskar and the Storm click here.

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