The former Calare Public School and Orange High School student has written a book called “Charlie’s Stars” which uses nature as a way to help children overcome grief.

Ms Barwick, who now lives in Mullumbimby near Byron Bay, wrote the book for her nephew Alby, who lives in Orange and followed the family footsteps in attending Calare, to help him overcome the death of his grandfather several years ago. 

The book was initially written for him, and Ms Barwick said the story – about a child seeing “stars that shine like grandpa’s eyes” in nature around him – helped him not just in those initial phases but is a message he continues to carry.

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“It doesn’t mention death, just missing grandpa so it can be carried across to missing anyone they love. When she was little my daughter used to miss our family (in Orange), lots of families are separated and children might miss their mum or dad,” she said. 

After “sitting” on the story for a few years, Ms Barwick finally decided to publish the book late last year, and after a nine-month process is bringing copies to Orange. 

While she hasn’t locked in physical sales, Ms Barwick was hopeful if people kept their eyes out they might be able to find a copy of Charlie’s Stars in Orange, otherwise they can be ordered from https://starryskypress.com. 

Ms Barwick will also be doing a book reading at Two Grey Elephants in Millthorpe on Sunday from 11.00am, with other activities on offer. 

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