A CLINICAL psychologist from Ramsbottom is celebrating the publication of her first book - which caught the attention of CBeebies.

Dr Louise Mansell’s Brian the Brain, written with her eight-year-old son Samuel, has just been published and has been praised by students and teachers alikeas well as Paul Gilbert OBE.

Louise got her clinical psychology qualification from The University of Manchester and following her work with CAMHS she co-founded a social enterprise, Beyond Psychology.

Led by Louise and other psychologists, Beyond Psychology is a non-profit organisation that aims to help children and families better understand their own mental health and the science behind their emotions.

Louise said: “This all came about because of a series of videos that I filmed for Holcombe Brook Primary, explaining the importance of emotional health.

“One day my son, Samuel, decided to join me in the videos and we explained the incredibly complex chemical science behind why our brains work the way they do with his toys, using his teddy bears and Lego.

“The videos went up on the Beyond Psychology Youtube channel and got liked by CBeebies and American author, Tina Bryson.

“We decided to write a book about emotional and mental health, and it was Samuel that came up with the idea of Brian the Brain, who lights up in different colours depending on what he feels.

“It’s all backed up by psychological theory, but it’s broken down and made accessible to children with plenty of jokes and Samuel insisted that Brian farted a lot.”

The book has been self-published and Louise recruited family friend, Jackson Dean to illustrate it. Jason Groves from Nettl of Bury has designed the layout.

Jason said: “This book gives a great insight into the psychology of the brain in a way that can be understood by all.

“My children have been able to understand it and learn from its message.

“With kids being in lockdown so long this has been quite a release for them, like a free therapy session.”

Soon Louise plans to roll the book out into schools across the borough.

To get your copy visit https://brianthebrain.org/product/brian-the-brain-the-day-he-farted/