Author Biography

Emma Poore is a children’s author and illustrator with a diverse background in Theatre and Events. Honouring her daughter Lydie and her family’s bereavement journey through the eyes of her young sons, George and Henry, Emma’s first illustrated picture book “Where are you Lydie?” is for young bereaved siblings affected by the death of a baby brother or sister.

Endorsed by Sands – stillbirth and neonatal death charity and recommended by the Miscarriage Association, Child Bereavement UK, Shooting Star Children’s Hospices and Marie Curie along with other reputed child healthcare professionals.

Emma has written and talked about her family’s experience of child grief and sibling loss for The Independent and various other publications and podcasts.

What do I write about me?

I wouldn’t be going in the direction I am now if it weren’t for my daughter Lydie. I wouldn’t be on this path.

Before she was born I worked in Theatre and Events, I’d run my own design business, got married, bought a flat, become a Mum to our first born son George, which was full of many ups and downs, and we’d moved out of London to our first “proper” family home. We were like any other young family starting out on our life together, excited for the future. I became pregnant with our second child, a girl we were to find out on the day she was born.

Lydie died on April 1st and was born on April 4th 2010. When your child dies your world changes forever, everything shifts. Your life, the way you think, the way you live and those of your family are never the same again. Forever. All joy and colour leave your world and grief becomes your shadow, for a time. Our only light was George. He was 3 years old. I found out I was pregnant again on Lydie’s first anniversary and 9 months later our little rainbow Henry arrived. He will always be a gift from her.

I went on a writing course a couple of years ago with the intention of possibly dipping my toe in to the world of children’s writing and illustration… maybe, someday. Where are you Lydie? is not the first book I intended to write however it transpires it is the first book I needed to write. It is my sincere hope and wish that Where are you Lydie? might help the many children and families who find themselves walking the same path as us.

SANDS helped me enormously in the initial months after Lydie’s death and I am hugely humbled to have their endorsement and support in helping to launch my book. Every book sold will contribute towards this amazing charity’s work supporting bereaved families.