Some children in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties who were victims of the Thomas Fire helped create a book that was just released to help other kids.
Eight-year-old Sierra Craig and her family were living in Ventura when their home and hundreds of other homes were destroyed by the devastating 2017 wildfire.
“When the Thomas Fire burned our home, I was kind of sad,” she said.
She and her sister attended workshops by the nonprofit Sunflower Bridge to deal with emotional distress.
“The more children we have empowered around mental health and emotional well-being, I think we can create a really beautiful world,” says Lisa Biggs who runs the nonprofit.
She says the kids helped create a children’s book called “Team Sunny” that tells the story of Sunny the Sunflower who experiences post-traumatic stress in the form of a storm cloud and the tools that help him overcome his struggles.
Craig says the book teaches important lessons.
“Don’t hide from your problems. Talk about them to someone you trust or know," she says.