BBC Tim and Katie Hodkinson posing outside while holding the children's book they have self-published. He is wearing a white collared shirt and a tweed blazer, and she is wearing a pink zip-up hoodie. There is a fence and some bare trees behind them. — Tim and Katie Hodkinson wanted to recognise the sacrifices of night-shift staff during the festive period

While most families are spending time together over the next few days, many healthcare workers will be on shift looking after those who need it most.

Now Dr Tim Hodkinson and his wife, dental nurse Kate Hodkinson, have released a children’s book, ‘Twas the Night Shift Before Christmas’, to honour medical staff who work over the festive period instead of spending time with their loved-ones.

“Often on TV or in books you’ll see families coming together at Christmas, but for lots of families, that’s just not what Christmas looks like,” Mrs Hodkinson said.

The self-published authors, who live in Keynsham, hope the book will help others “feel seen” by representing their “norm”.

The couple also intend to donate 10% of the proceeds from the book to St Peter’s Hospice in Bristol.

“It’s really a special charity and they do an amazing work in this area,” said Dr Hodkinson.

“We really wanted to give back, when they give so much already.”

The couple hope the book will help children to feel more comfortable with their families working over Christmas

The front cover of a dark blue book with stars at the top of the cover. It shows a group of illustrated night-shift workers including doctors, nurses, firemen, paramedics and police standing in the middle. At the front of the group there are two small children wearing pyjamas and holding teddy bears. — The couple hope the book will help children to feel more comfortable with their families working over Christmas

The children’s book depicts those who have a duty of care year-round, including nurses, doctors, paramedics, police, firefighters and carers.

“It seems to have resonated with lots of people, and it’s really heart-warming to feel like they’ve been noticed,” Dr Hodkinson said.

“Especially those with children who don’t really know how to explain to their kids that they won’t be there on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day.

“It’s been really nice for them to be able to explain it to their children in a gentle way.”

Mrs Hodkinson added: “I hope they can see their own family life in the story, and they can think about that feeling normal.

“Rather than children feeling like ‘that’s not fair’, or ‘my Christmas doesn’t look like that’, they can think ‘oh that’s really cool, my parents are doing that too’.”

Juliette Hughes said the book “beautifully portrays” the reality of being a healthcare worker

Juliette Hughes wearing dark blue hospice scrubs and a branded lanyard. She has blonde hair which is tied back into ponytail and styles with a fringe. She is standing outdoors on a bright sunny day in front of a wooden fence and some bushes, smiling at the camera. — Juliette Hughes said the book “beautifully portrays” the reality of being a healthcare worker

Director of patient care and family support at St Peter’s Hospice, Juliette Hughes, admitted she shed a tear while reading the “touching” story.

“I think the book really portrays beautifully the need to balance being able to work at Christmas, to be there for people who need us to be there, but also being able to balance that with spending time at home with your own family, your own children,” she said.

About 80% of the hospice’s funding comes through donations, which enables staff to provide specialist and holistic care for patients at the end of their life.

“We are so grateful, not only for the message the book gives, but also for the generosity of the donations we’ll receive which will really help us,” Ms Hughes added.

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