Rohan Bullkin and the Shadows: A Story about ACEs and Hope

Rohan Bullkin is haunted by sinister Shadows that fuel his fear of reading. He hates books so much that he often rips their pages. But when the Shadows become intolerable, Rohan accepts an offer of friendship from a special book. This marks the beginning of a remarkable journey during which he not only learns how to conquer Shadows but also develops a love of books and life.

Rohan Bullkin and the Shadows highlights connections between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), toxic stress and many children's academic weaknesses and disruptive behaviours. It shows how supportive environments and the ability to read well significantly improve children's odds of overcoming trauma and becoming successful. In addition to providing a medium for children and adults to explore their ACEs, this book aims to help others develop a deeper understanding of the symptoms of toxic stress and ways in which they can be allies to those who need support.

Juleus Ghunta is a Chevening Scholar, poet, and an advocate in the Caribbean's adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) movement. He holds a BA in Media from The University of the West Indies, Mona, and an MA in Peace Studies from the University of Bradford. Juleus' work explores the links between toxic stress and academic underachievement, and the varied effects of false positivity and emotional invalidation on the choices and hopes of survivors of complex trauma. His poems and essays on ACEs have appeared in 30+ journals across 15 countries. His picture book, Tata and the Big Bad Bull, was published by CaribbeanReads in 2018 and he is the co-editor of the December 2019 and March 2020 issues of Interviewing the Caribbean Journal (The UWI Press), which are focused on children's literature and ACEs in the Caribbean.

Rachel Moss is a Jamaican illustrator who loves the vibrant energies of the Caribbean. She studied Animation in England at the University of the Creative Arts and has illustrated several books including: I Am a Promise by Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce; African with lyrics by Peter Tosh; Respect with lyrics by Otis Redding; and These Boots Are Made for Walkin' by Lee Hazlewood. A wife and mum of two, Rachel wants her work to help build strong and healthy families in the Caribbean and across the world.