Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York and Sterling Children's Books Launch Helping Hand Books

NEW YORK, March 16 /PRNewswire/ -- This August, the Duchess of York and Sterling Children's Books will publish Helping Hand Books, a series designed to help children understand personal and social issues that affect them growing up, including starting school, coping with bullying and learning about strangers.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100316/DC70953)

"All children face new experiences as they grow up, and helping them understand and deal with each is one of the most demanding and rewarding things we do as parents," said the Duchess. "I hope these books encourage children and parents to talk about these issues. Talking together goes a long way to finding a solution."

Each book highlights one topic in a story that children and parents can share and includes helpful hints from leading child psychologist Dr. Richard Woolfson, PhD, to assist parents in guiding their children positively and sympathetically.

"The Duchess of York has created a series that expertly addresses the childhood challenges parents may feel unequipped to handle," said Marcus Leaver, President of Sterling Publishing.

Adds Frances Gilbert, VP, Publisher of Sterling Children's Books, "The Duchess has shown us that one can face life's challenges with grace and strength. What better role model to share her wisdom about how to navigate the twists and turns of today's family?"

The first four books in the series include Ashley Learns About Strangers, Emily's First Day at School, Matthew and the Bullies, and Michael and His New Baby Brother, followed by eight titles in 2011. The Duchess will be a featured speaker at the Book Expo America tradeshow and the American Library Association conference.

Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York has written books for children and adults, including the children's series about Little Red, the New York Times bestselling Tea for Ruby, and What I Know Now: Simple Lessons Learnt the Hard Way. In 2007, the Duchess established the Sarah Ferguson Foundation to fund programs that promote education and wellness; in 1993 she founded Children in Crisis, which provides aid to needy children worldwide.

ABOUT STERLING CHILDREN'S BOOKS

Sterling Children's Books publishes books that educate, entertain, and enrich the lives of readers. Sterling Children's Books is a division of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Barnes & Noble, Inc.  We have the reach of a major publisher with the passion and creativity of an independent press.

SOURCE Sterling Children's Books