Many adults would embrace the chance to return to their teenage years and enjoy the freedom of youth again. But for sufferers of amnesia, it is a terrifying reality.

Whetstone author Ellie Daines tackles the deeply disturbing consequences of an adult mother losing her memory – and therefore forgetting her child – in her latest children’s novel Shine Izzy Shine.

The story follows the drama which unfolds after Izzy’s mother, Rio, falls down the stairs on her wedding day, leaving her in a coma.

“When her mum wakes up from the coma she is actually suffering from amnesia and she doesn’t remember she’s Izzy’s mum. She also thinks she’s still 14 and it’s 1995. Izzy tries to help her mum remember who she is and remember their relationship,“ says Ellie, who spent a year-and-a-half crafting her novel.

It is a difficult subject Ellie can relate to on a personal level, as her grandfather suffered with dementia during her childhood.

She remembers: “It’s upsetting – people you have known your whole life don’t know your name, can’t picture your face. For me it was almost like going on a personal journey and being able to translate some of the feelings felt in my own life into words.“ Shine Izzy Shine is Ellie’s second novel, the first, titled Lolly Luck, was published in 2013 after being snapped up by Anderson Press, an imprint of Random House.

As in Lolly Luck, Ellie’s new book features a strong female lead character from a minority ethnic background.

The author explains: “One of the issues at the moment is the lack of diversity in children’s books. As a minority ethnic, Afro-Caribbean author I feel very privileged to be in this position writing about protagonists who are minority ethnic. Izzy is Latina. For me it was really important to write a book on this.“ She hopes children can use her books to learn about others, or to identify with characters similar to themselves.

“My stories deal with real-life issues young people can relate to,“ says Ellie, who cites Roald Dahl as a major inspiration.

“It’s hard-hitting stories and it’s a form of escapism. You can take them out of their comfort zones and enable them to put their feet into someone else’s shoes.“

Shine Izzy Shine is available from amazon.co.uk