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Where’s Etty? – Studland Bay celebrates curiosity, courage, and the small everyday magic found along Britain’s coastline.
Told through classic watercolour illustrations, this gentle seaside adventure invites young readers to explore the world with wonder and kindness — and to discover the joy that comes from unexpected friendship.
About the Book
Etty’s adventures celebrate curiosity, courage and the quiet magic found along Britain’s coastline.
Through her eyes, the everyday becomes extraordinary — a simple walk to the water’s edge becomes a journey of discovery, connection and heart.
Told through timeless watercolour illustrations, each story invites young readers to slow down, look closely and explore the world with wonder, kindness and an open heart.
From sandy toes and salty breezes to unexpected friendships and gentle life lessons, Where’s Etty? captures the beauty of childhood in its purest form.
The series also carries a deeper purpose: shining a light on children living with rare genetic conditions like GNB1, and celebrating the many different ways children experience and engage with the world. Etty reminds us that every child’s perspective is unique — and filled with its own kind of magic.
Inside the World of Etty
About The Author
Amie Cleland is a mother, model, primary school teacher and advocate for the learning-disability community. She lives in the beautiful New Forest, close to the Isle of Wight. When she isn’t fighting for her daughter’s rights, needs and opportunities, she finds joy in walking, cycling, sailing and being outdoors.
Where’s Etty – Studland Bay is her debut picture book and the first in a planned series of five. Each story follows Etty as she grows, exploring different places — all inspired by real family moments before Etty’s diagnosis of GNB1.
Amie warmly invites readers to support the GNB1 Foundation directly via the links below.
Etty is a real life inspiration
A Story of Strength and Uniqueness
Where's Etty is inspired by a real little girl with a rare genetic condition called GNB1, a difference that affects how her brain develops and communicates. Children with GNB1 can experience challenges with movement, speech, learning, and sensory processing — but they can also be wonderfully expressive, curious, imaginative and full of personality, just like Etty.
Every child with GNB1 is unique. their needs are all different and complex but they all have something in common, which is the rich inner world that shines through in their own joyful way, and many have a rich inner world that shines through in their own joyful way. Etty’s story is a celebration of that uniqueness — of the magic, courage and wonder that exist because of, not despite, her differences.
By sharing Etty’s adventures, we hope to raise awareness, spread compassion, and help families feel seen, understood and supported.
What is GNB1?
GNB1 is a rare genetic condition caused by a variation in the GNB1 gene, which plays a key role in how cells in the brain and body send signals to each other.
How does it affect children?
Because signalling pathways are involved in many parts of development, children with GNB1 may experience:
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delayed motor milestones
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low or high muscle tone
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learning differences
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speech and language delays
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sensory sensitivities
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epilepsy (in some cases)
How common is it?
It is extremely rare — fewer than 500 children worldwide are currently diagnosed.
Etty shows us that every child sees the world differently — and that difference can be a kind of magic.
