Happy Valley star James Norton is using his platform to raise awareness about diabetes in young children. The actor, who himself has type one diabetes, recently read How to Manage a Mammoth on CBeebies. The book, written by Dr. Rose Stewart and illustrated by Richard Dwyer, aims to help families understand and accept the challenges of living with diabetes.
In How to Manage a Mammoth, 8-year-old Jake learns to cope with his diabetes by imagining it as a mammoth named Mel. Jake and his mom team up with friends to find ways to shrink Mel down to a manageable size. The story encourages children to view diabetes as something they can learn to handle, rather than an insurmountable obstacle.
James Norton shared his personal experience with diabetes, comparing it to a shaggy dog named Bruce. When he first got Bruce, the puppy was difficult to control due to overexcitement. Now, Bruce is older and calmer, much like James’ own management of his condition.
The BBC Bitesize Parents’ Toolkit also provides valuable advice for families dealing with diabetes. Experts from Diabetes UK and Dr. Rose Stewart offer insights on accepting a diagnosis and managing the condition. James Norton’s CBeebies Bedtime Story featuring How to Manage a Mammoth will air on CBeebies at 6:50 PM on Friday, June 14.
