'Forget Me Not' - a new children's book written by Jersey's Carolyn O'Boyle - explores the death of a pet and how to cope with loss.

Talking about loss is a difficult topic parents to approach with their little ones.

Local author Carolyn O'Boyle has tackled this subject in her new children's book Forget Me Not.

The story follows the inseparable bond between a little girl and her beloved dalmatian.

Dotty the dog accompanies Rose through all of her early milestones, but slowly Dotty can no longer keep up.

Carolyn O'Boyle says the inspiration for her book comes from her very own Rose and Dotty, her daughter Erica and the family's golden retriever Bella.

"I’ve watched the bond grow between them over the years and, as time begins to catch up with our doggy, I became concerned about how I could help my daughter to cope with the loss of our beloved pet."

"I like the idea of tackling the bigger issues, and trying to bring those to children in an accessible way."

The book is not entirely based on grief, it also celebrates the companionship animals give people.

Carolyn says the changing of the seasons in the book illustrates the journey children go on with their pets from beginning to end.

The story is an international collaboration between O’Boyle, Singaporean illustrator, Lucy McLaughlin and Australian publishers, Ethicool Books.