What inspired Abu Dhabi-based author Liam Kelly to write his children’s book, William: The Story Written in My Head, and what issues does it address?

Drawing on his own childhood experiences of anxiety and silence, Kelly wrote William to help children understand and articulate their feelings. The book focuses on youth anxiety—a condition affecting nearly one in three UAE adolescents—and follows William, a thoughtful boy navigating school life while coping with a busy, anxious mind. Released on World Children’s Day, proceeds support mental health awareness projects, and Kelly hopes the story provides young readers a safe space to explore emotions they may otherwise struggle to express. Do you think books like this can effectively help children open up about their mental health?

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