The broadcaster-turned-author on writing for children, tackling anxiety, and why books should be dessert, not broccoli
Helen Farmer is no stranger to storytelling. A BBC-trained journalist and Dubai-based broadcaster, she has spent years engaging audiences with her warmth, wit, and honesty—whether on Dubai Eye 103.8, through her blog, or now, in her children’s books.
Her latest book, My Family’s Secret Superpowers, helps children and parents navigate anxiety, big emotions, and the rollercoaster of everyday life.
“Youngsters today are facing more challenges than ever before,” she says. “And so are the grownups! I wanted to write something that reassures children that just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean you don’t have worries or problems. We all have our struggles—it’s just that some are easier to see than others.”
From idea to bookshelf
Writing a book might sound like a slow and steady process, but for Helen, My Family’s Secret Superpowers took less than a year—about the same time as a pregnancy, she jokes. Having worked with illustrator Pavi on her debut book, My Mummy’s Secret Adventures, the process was smoother the second time.
“Pavi knew the characters and my preferences,” she says. “The biggest surprise was reading it aloud—it feels completely different from writing. Kids love repetition, so the story has to flow. Nothing teaches you what works like a bedtime story on loop.”
Books as a safe space
Helen is passionate about how books help children process emotions. “Stories make tricky topics feel less overwhelming,” she explains. “Seeing characters with similar experiences reassures kids they’re not alone. Representation matters too—I want every child to see themselves in the pages.”
Books also spark important conversations. “Reading together isn’t just about the words—it’s about connection,” says Helen. She encourages parents to ask open-ended questions like, ‘Have you ever felt like this?’ or ‘What do you think will happen next?’
While it’s tempting to “fix” a child’s worries, she believes anxiety isn’t a problem to be solved but an emotion to be understood. “Talking openly, modelling coping strategies, and using storytelling help children build resilience. They learn that feeling nervous is okay—and they already have the tools to handle it.”
Raising readers (without the battle)
Helen’s advice? “Make books fun. Let children pick stories that excite them—even if it’s Fortnite fiction over classics! Create cosy reading spaces, visit libraries, meet authors, start a book swap with friends.”
Above all, don’t turn reading into homework. “Books shouldn’t be a chore or a stepping stone to screen time. Books are the treat! Not the broccoli before dessert—they are the dessert.”
Helen’s own childhood was filled with words – short stories, poems, letters, and an insatiable appetite for books (everything from Enid Blyton to Sweet Valley High). “Writing has always been a way for me to process emotions,” she says.
Now, as a mum, she’s passionate about creating books she once wished existed. Her daughters, six and eight, inspire her stories. “Most of my ideas come from what we need as a family. If we’re looking for them, others might be too.”
Does she dream of writing the next Harry Potter? “For sheer imagination? I wish! But for the beauty of writing, I’d love to have written Where The Wild Things Are. And for the bank balance? Well, obviously Harry Potter!”
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Juggling work, motherhood, and writing
“I’m lucky to interview experts daily; their insights shape my writing,” says Helen. A teacher once told her that some children think their mums sit in the car outside school all day—an idea that inspired her first book.
With My Family’s Secret Superpowers, she hopes to add something valuable to children’s bookshelves. “There’s so much talk about stress in little ones—I wanted to contribute in a way that felt supportive, fun, and accessible.”
As her daughters grow, Helen would love to write stories that evolve with them. “Maybe something for older readers, or even poetry for mums—because, let’s be honest, who has the time or attention span for a novel right now?”
But for now, she’s following her own advice. “My next project? Slowing down a little. Or at least trying to!”
My Family’s Secret Superpowers is out now.
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