School is back in session! With kids heading back to class after a summer of holidaying, relaxing and hopefully not growing too much, it’s important for youngsters to correctly slot back into the normality of school life with little to no disruption.

For those who struggle to fit back in, bullying and dealing with pressure can weigh heavily on their minds – something we all agree should not be happening amongst students, but happens regardless. Learning how to cope is vital for a child to maintain their academic career, as well as their positive mental being. Ryan Milne’s book, TIMMY TUMBLES, intends to do just that.

We spoke with Ryan about why he felt compelled to pen a story on this topic, what message he hopes to send out into the world, and what he would say to his younger self if he had the opportunity.

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Timmy Tumbles tackles one of the most important and affecting issues for children – bullying. This inspiring book is beautiful and we’re very proud to share it with the world, especially your young son Nash. Could you share a little with us about why you wrote this book?

Absolutely! My main message to my son is that he is always enough just as he is. I want him to know that, which is why I focused on the father-son relationship in the story. It's my way of indirectly telling Nash that I'll always be there for him, no matter what, without judgment, and for anything big or small. The topic of bullying and teasing is something that just about every kid will have to endure at one point or another, and because of that, I wanted to provide Nash and every kid a set of tools to combat bullying constructively.

Aiming to inspire and assure children that their uniqueness is the key to how important they are, is a worthwhile and just message to send. What lead to you focusing on this topic for this book?

Again, it might sound a bit cliché, but I wanted my son to understand that who he is will always be enough, and there is no one else like him on the planet. We are all unique with diverse backgrounds—whether culturally, physically, spiritually, or in our family lives at home, there is something distinct about each of us that should be celebrated. Personally, growing up, I was somewhere between a shrimp and a noodle in stature, yet inexplicably drawn to basketball as the sport I wanted to excel in. This choice often meant being surrounded by a bunch of trees, making me an easy target. Knowing I couldn’t outmatch anyone physically (and not being naturally inclined to), I found my own way to combat the teasing: using witty and comedic language. I discovered that humor, even directed at those who teased me, could often build bridges toward friendship.

Difficult topics are tackled but there is still loads of fun to be had throughout the story, bolstered by the delightful illustrative work of Kecia Sheahan. How was working with Kecia to bring Timmy Tumbles to life?

Kecia played a crucial role in bringing Timmy’s story to life. Her illustrations were meticulously crafted, evident as you flip through the pages—there's no randomness to her artwork. Finding an illustrator who understood me, my story, and my life was paramount. Kecia not only met but exceeded this expectation, infusing Timmy’s tale with whimsy. Look closely, and you'll discover numerous hidden gems woven into the visuals. For instance, in the third illustration featuring Sammy Stutters, there are several Easter eggs: "September 3rd" marks my wife (and Kecia’s best friend’s) birthday, while "Grade 3 Talent Show" commemorates my son Nash’s birthday on November 27th. The next page mirrors my office bookshelf, complete with a Colorado College degree atop, where Kecia, my wife Katie, and I all graduated in 2014. These subtle details have become cherished highlights for friends and family, thanks to Kecia's exceptional work.

You have shared with us previously that Timmy’s life was inspired by your own. With that in mind, if you could speak with young Ryan and share some words of wisdom with him, what do you think you’d say?

If I could speak to young Ryan now, I'd say: embrace every aspect of yourself, even the parts that seem unsure or different. Just be yourself, man. Trying to change for others is draining and inauthentic; you'll end up feeling like a big fat phony. Remember, everyone has their thing—don't hesitate to acknowledge and own yours.

Hopefully, Timmy’s adventures are just beginning! Life is full of challenges and growing up, you’ll encounter a diverse range of hurdles that need to be jumped. Where do you see Timmy heading next?

I see Timmy continuing to grow into a leader and someone his friends, family, classmates and future colleagues will be able to depend on. These types of issues don’t stop at childhood, they continue all through adulthood and Timmy will be well equipped to deal with them.

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Timmy Tumbles is available now in paperback.