A MOTHER from Worcester has released a children’s book about friendship, diversity and kindness.

Charlotte Clucas, 46, grew up in London and has lived in Worcester for the last seven years.

Her first book, called Dotty Stripes Finds Her Dazzle, which was released on Tuesday, tells the story of Dotty the Zebra as she navigates her way through a new school, makes a new best friend and takes on the school bullies.

Charlotte said the book, which is for children aged five to nine, tackles issues such as diversity and tolerance.

“Living in Worcester, we have people from different communities and cultures, and the idea for the book stemmed from that,” Charlotte said.

“We are all the same although we may look different and come from different places.

“The idea came from hearing things in the news about the differences in the country and the challenges people face.

“I wanted to teach my daughter that we should be tolerant - I grew up in London with many cultures, and I wanted to teach her that when she was hearing certain things in the news that the way forward is to be tolerant and that no one is better than anyone else and we all have a part to play.

“In the case of Dotty – through the book she encounters bullying and has challenges when she goes to this new school and has a best friend who is a lion which isn’t allowed in the book, so it also explains how they overcome that.”

To purchase the book, visit amzn.to/36LjnW7