I Am Not the Only One
A children's picture book by Kelly Abraham

I am not
the only one

No problem, big or small, is too big to talk about.

A gentle story about Amelia, a problem only she can see, and the courage it takes to speak up.

Get the book on Amazon Read inside
Benji
Front and back cover of I Am Not the Only One by Kelly Abraham
Amelia Sunny the dog On
Amazon
  • Feelings matter
  • Speaking up is brave
  • You are not alone
Hardback copy of I Am Not the Only One
About the book

Some things are too big to carry alone

I Am Not the Only One follows Amelia, a happy girl whose world is turned upside down when a dark, looming problem enters her life, one only she can see. As it grows bigger and louder, it silences her with fear and shame.

A chance encounter with her best friend Benji and a kind, perceptive teacher named Ms. Bridges gives her the courage to finally speak up.

With stunning watercolour illustrations and gentle, accessible storytelling, the book shows children that difficult feelings and hard situations are never theirs to carry alone.

Speaking to a trusted adult is not weakness. It is the bravest thing a child can do.
  • Emotional wellbeing
  • Friendship
  • Safeguarding
  • Using your voice
  1. 1

    A problem only she can see

    It follows Amelia everywhere and grows bigger and louder, leaving her feeling scared, alone and unsure who to trust.

  2. 2

    A friend and a teacher

    Benji and Ms. Bridges notice, listen and give Amelia the courage to find her voice.

  3. 3

    She is not alone

    Sharing her worries makes them smaller. With the help of people who care, Amelia finds the strength to face her fears.

Meet the characters

Everyone in Amelia's story

01 / 07
01Amelia, a girl with long brown hair, a pink t-shirt and jeans

Amelia

The main character

A happy girl whose world is turned upside down when a problem only she can see arrives.

02Sunny, a small long-haired terrier

Sunny

Amelia's dog

Amelia's loyal little dog, always close by.

03Benji, a boy with red hair, a green t-shirt and jeans

Benji

Amelia's best friend

A chance encounter with Benji helps give Amelia the courage to speak up.

04Lily Bridges, a teacher with golden curly hair and a purple skirt

Ms. Bridges

Amelia's new class teacher

Lily Bridges is a kind, perceptive teacher who helps Amelia know it is safe to talk.

05The Problem, a stormy purple cloud with lightning bolts

The Problem

The purple cloud

It follows Amelia everywhere and grows bigger and louder, silencing her with fear and shame.

06Amelia's dad, sitting in a yellow armchair

Amelia's dad

Family

One of the caring grown-ups at home.

07Amelia's mum, with a black bob, a red jumper and a black skirt

Amelia's mum

Family

One of the caring grown-ups at home.

Watch the trailer

See Amelia's story come to life

Under a minute, with sound on. Meet Amelia, her dog Sunny and the purple cloud that follows her, and see who helps her find her voice.

  • A happy girl and her dog, until a problem only she can see arrives
  • A best friend, a teacher and a family who notice
  • A hopeful ending about speaking up

Watching with a child? Pause and ask

  • When the cloud appears"How do you think Amelia is feeling right now?"Around the first scenes
  • When Amelia is alone"What could help her feel less alone?"Mid-trailer
  • When someone listens"Who are the grown-ups you can talk to?"Near the end
Look inside

Turn the pages online

Read the whole book page by page in the flip-book viewer. Every spread is painted in watercolour, with warm scenes at home and at school that give children room to notice how Amelia feels.

  • Gentle, simple words that are easy to read aloud
  • Seven characters to meet, including Sunny the dog
  • Scenes that invite you to stop, look and talk
Open the flip bookBuy on Amazon
An upright copy of the book on top of two more copies

A peek inside the story

  • Amelia walking in a park while a purple cloud follows her
    The problem arrivesA purple cloud starts to follow Amelia, and only she can see it.
  • Amelia at her school desk with the cloud above her
    It follows her to schoolEven in class, the cloud grows bigger and louder.
  • Amelia and Benji walking to school, each with a cloud overhead
    Benji has a cloud tooAmelia's best friend carries a small cloud of his own.
  • Ms. Bridges sitting beside Amelia on a bench
    Ms. Bridges listensA kind teacher sits beside Amelia and helps her feel safe to talk.
  • Amelia's mum and dad comforting her in the garden
    Home, togetherWith her family beside her, the cloud starts to feel smaller.
Who it helps

A book for everyone who cares for a child

Parents and caregivers

Open a calm conversation about feelings at bedtime, with a story that keeps the child at the centre.

Teachers

A classroom read that supports wellbeing and safeguarding, and reminds pupils who they can talk to.

Counsellors

A gentle starting point for children who find it hard to say what is on their mind.

For parents, carers and teachers

How to read it together

A picture book works best when the reading is slow and the conversation is easy. These four ideas help.

  1. Look before you readSpend a minute on the cover. Three children, three paths and a rising sun. Ask what the child notices.
  2. Let the pictures do the talkingPause on the cloud scenes and name the feeling together: scared, worried, lonely.
  3. Keep your questions openAsk "what do you think?" rather than "was she sad?". There are no wrong answers.
  4. End on the helpersFinish by talking about who Amelia told, and who the child could tell.

Conversation starters

Pick one or two. Let the child lead.

  • Why do you think Amelia kept her problem to herself?
  • How did Amelia feel after she told someone?
  • What did Benji's little cloud tell Amelia?
  • How did Ms. Bridges help?
  • Who are the grown-ups you can talk to?
  • What could you do if a friend looked like they had a cloud?
If a child opens up

When a child starts to talk

Reading this book may lead a child to share something real. What you do next matters. Here are five simple things to keep in mind.

This is general guidance, not professional advice. Follow your school or organisation's safeguarding policy and your local child protection process. If a child is in immediate danger, contact the emergency services.

  • Stay calmKeep your face and voice gentle. Your calm tells them it is safe.
  • ListenLet them tell it in their own words. Don't press for details.
  • Believe themSay "thank you for telling me" and "it is not your fault".
  • Don't promise secrecyExplain that you may need to tell someone whose job is to keep children safe.
  • Pass it onShare what you heard with your designated safeguarding lead or the right authority, and write down what was said.
Bring it home

Share Amelia's story with a child you love

Available on Amazon and Kindle. A gentle way to start a conversation about feelings, at home or in the classroom.

Buy on Amazon
An upright copy of the book beside a stack of copies
Author Kelly Abraham holding her book on a beach
About the author

Kelly Abraham

Kelly Abraham is a children's author who turned childhood pain into purpose. Her book, I Am Not the Only One, helps kids find their voice and feel heard, while guiding parents and educators to listen.

Facebook Amazon Read inside Email

Get in touch

For school visits, readings, press or questions about the book, write to Kelly.

author@kellyabraham.co.uk Send email

Follow the journey

News, new posts and book moments are shared on Kelly's Facebook page.

Visit on Facebook Buy the book