TV and radio star Gemma Atkinson’s new children’s book has hit the shelves today, Friday.

"Dogs Don’t Dance" is about confidence, and after being told "dogs don’t dance", main characters Dusty and Dave go on an adventure together overcoming emotions, making new friends and memories along the way.

As well as a wonderful story, the book also includes a small section at the back where children can learn to dance like the main character.

Taking to Instagram when she announced her new book, Bury-born Gemma said: “From writing away with Tio in my tummy to having the very first copy of my first children’s book, ‘Dogs Don’t Dance’.

“I wanted to write a confidence building book that obviously included dogs!

“After being told that dogs don’t dance, Dusty and Dave go on a wonderful adventure together overcoming shyness, nervousness and in trying something new, they prove that dogs can dance, and in the process, meet lots of new friends and lots of new memories as well.

“Thank you so much @scholastic_uk (the publisher) for this opportunity, and I’m sorry for all the back and forth with my “I’m adding this into it now” emails. Thanks for your patience.

“And to the incredibly talented @lease_doodles for bringing all of the characters to life how I imagined. What a dream team!

“I hope you all enjoy it.”

Gemma shared an insight into her family life inside the book, which is brightly illustrated by Lisa Hunt, with a touching dedication to her two children Mia and Thiago.

The dedication states: “For Mia and Thiago. I hope you both always have the courage to dance and go on many adventures together.”

The book is currently priced at £5.99 on the Scholastic website.

To find out more, read here: https://shop.scholastic.co.uk/products/145056

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on X @chloewjourno.