A children’s author hopes her new book will challenge parents to open up the conversation about bullying.

Tola Okogwu released the first instalment in her Daddy Do My Hair series last year, which aimed to get dads spending more time with their daughters.

Its sequel is again focused on the relationship between a young girl and her father.

Hope’s Braids is the story of a mixed race schoolgirl who endures bullying at school because of her unusually frizzy hair, and it’s up to her dad — armed with his trusty hairbrush — to make her feel safe and happy again.

“Most people experience some form of bullying in their lives,” said the author, who lives in Ingress Park, Greenhithe.

“I moved here from Nigeria at the age of six and some of my first experiences were of being bullied.

“It was hard to integrate because it was very different and I felt a few steps behind my peers. Hope finds that the combination of her hair colour and skin tone makes her stand out and the book goes through the process of how she’s feeling.”

Like the first book, Beth’s Twists, Hope’s Braids is partly based on the author’s own personal experiences.

Beth’s Twists was inspired by the bond between her two-year-old daughter Elizabeth and her husband Goziam, who had become the toddler’s chief hair stylist.

The character of Hope is at least partly inspired by the author’s own niece, who is mixed race and has experienced some bullying at her school in Brighton.

“She had a hard time fitting in and feeling accepted and it was quite damaging to her self-esteem,” said former hair blogger Mrs Okogwu.

“When I was writing this book my memories sort of blended with hers.”

Once again Mrs Okogwu has written the story in rhyming prose and Rahima Begum has provided the illustrations.

The author said: “I hope it resonates in terms of feeling different and finding acceptance. We all look different but that’s not a bad thing and it should be celebrated.

“Hopefully for parents it will give them some ideas of what they can do to build their children’s self-esteem back up.”

The reception to Beth’s Twists was extremely positive. Actress Thandie Newton described the book as “gorgeous”.

A third entry in the series is now being written. Mrs Okogwu said: “We are looking at exploring other cultures and telling the story from a boy’s perspective. It will be about a father and son this time.”

In the meantime, Hope’s Braids is available now online and from bookshops, priced £6.99.