Twinkle, Twinkle Arti: Shining a light on the experiences of children whose parents use drugs and alcohol 

Dr Cassey Muir is a Researcher at Newcastle University. Cassey’s research interests include adverse childhood experiences, mental health, resilience and stigma. Following her PhD exploring the experiences and support needs of children whose parents use drugs and alcohol, Cassey co-produced the book Twinkle, Twinkle Arti to help adults facilitate conversations about parental substance use.

Twinkle, Twinkle Arti

It’s been one year since the release of Twinkle, Twinkle Arti, a children’s storybook and read along video. Written by Danielle Slade and illustrated by Josie Brookes, this book was co-designed with children and parents to help children who experience parental alcohol and drug use better understand and process their emotions with a trusted adult. 

Researchers at Newcastle University worked with 15 family members who were affected by parental alcohol or drug use, three teachers, Coram Life Education, and Coram Beanstalk to co-produce this storybook.

Using techniques like free writing to music, drawing different characters, and storyboarding ideas, we involved children and parents in the creative process from the start. Families were also able to see early mock-ups of the book and feedback their ideas on improvements to the story and share their preferences on illustrations.

We met with teachers from local primary schools and practitioners from Coram to think about who the target age range of the book would be, how the book could be used within schools and practice, and how to help adults have conversations with children. Through these discussions we developed conversation prompts for adults that are at the back of the book.

To date, 650 hard copies have been printed. The book has been sent to 315 different health, social and education services across England, with over 200 of these services proactively requesting copies. The digital version of the book has been downloaded over 5,000 times. A video of the author reading the story has been watched over 13,000 times on YouTube.

Looking back over the past year, it’s clear that this book has not only met but exceeded our expectations, creating a positive ripple effect in communities, homes, and practitioner settings.

Empowering conversations

Twinkle, Twinkle Arti has played a role in opening conversations. Its relatable character, Arti the wishing star, provides children with a way to explore their feelings in a safe, engaging environment. By following Arti’s journey as she navigates emotions like fear, confusion, and loneliness, children have had the opportunity to reflect on their own experiences in a way that feels natural, unforced, and even fun.

The book has created a bridge between the world of children and the adults who support them. From the feedback we have received so far children have started to feel less isolated in their struggles, and parents have found a way to discuss difficult subjects without feeling overwhelmed or judged.

For health and social care professionals, educators, and support workers, Twinkle, Twinkle Arti has proven to be an invaluable resource in their work with children impacted by substance use.

Without resources like Twinkle, Twinkle Arti or Nacoa’s helpline and resources, practitioners often feel unsure about how to broach the topic of parental alcohol problems with children and families.

Practitioners have expressed that Twinkle, Twinkle Arti provides a gentle yet effective way to introduce sensitive topics to children in an accessible and relatable format. Support workers have noted how the narrative helps children identify and articulate their emotions. The book has empowered practitioners to validate these feelings and create a space for children to express them without shame or stigma.

An unexpected ripple effect

As Twinkle, Twinkle Arti marks its first anniversary, it’s heartening to see how the book has gained recognition within broader advocacy circles, both within the UK (e.g., Adfam) and internationally (Alcohol Action Ireland).

What perhaps wasn’t anticipated when Twinkle, Twinkle Arti was first conceived was the ripple effect it would have in various settings. The book has been incorporated into several school lesson plans, community health initiatives, kinship carer meetings, local authority practitioner workshops, and prison support programmes for fathers, all aimed at supporting children.

The book has also helped start conversations with children about domestic violence and abuse as well as parental mental health, highlighting the book’s wider reach. Recently, we also had a request to translate the book into Welsh, which we are currently in the process of doing. 

Looking ahead: continuing the journey

As I reflect on the success of Twinkle, Twinkle Arti over the past year, there is a sense of excitement and hope for what’s to come. The book’s success has spurred further conversations about the need for more resources like it as there is still much work to be done in supporting children who experience parental substance use. We are always looking for feedback on the storybook and hope to develop further editions or stories related to Arti’s adventures.  

In the coming year, there are plans to expand the reach of Twinkle, Twinkle Arti, with more outreach initiatives and partnerships to ensure that even more children and families can benefit from this resource. We also hope to pilot the book within primary schools to understand the impact of the storybook and any related lesson plans on children’s social and emotional wellbeing. I am excited to see what this next year brings for Arti.

A young person involved in the development of the children’s storybook reflected: 

“I sincerely hope the book not only entertains children at bedtime, but that it can in some ways soothe a child’s worries. It was an honour to hear the brave accounts from families and even more so, that they have trusted us to put their feelings and stories into this book.”

Find out more about Twinkle, Twinkle Arti

To join Arti on her journey of bravery, self-discovery, and learning about the importance of talking about your feelings, take a look at the story book or watch the video.

If you would like to learn more about this research:

• Read the news story here.
• Listen to this Fuse podcast to hear Cassey discussing her research on social and emotional resilience in children and young people affected by parental substance use.
• Read this Fuse blog post about the development of Twinkle, Twinkle Arti.

By Dr Cassey Muir

Newcastle University