A BIRCHWOOD High pupil and his younger sisters celebrated International Women’s Day by creating their own book about inspirational women.

Twelve-year-old Reece Gervais researched and wrote the book with eight-year-old Jasmin and five-year-old Mya.

Mum Shelly Wheeldon said the project started as a way to keep her kids busy during the summer holidays and teach them more about women’s contribution to society.

Social work student Shelly, from Cinnamon Brow, said: “We thought there hadn’t been enough acknowledgement of what women have achieved over the years. And the point was that they hadn’t heard of lots of these women before.”

She said Reece and his sisters were reluctant at first but began to really enjoy the project as they learned about the achievements of female sports stars, scientists, world record breakers and politicians.

“They decided who they wanted to include and had more than 100 by the time they finished. It was good for them to learn how to do research. They are very proud of it,” she added.

Shelly asked Reece, Jasmin and Mya to design a cover and had the book professionally bound for them.

She said their favourite chapters were on the writer and civil rights campaigner Maya Angelou, and political activist Angela Davis.

Reece added: “Women have no less worth than men, we are equal human beings.”

Staff at Birchwood High School said they are ‘hugely proud’ of the family’s book and assistant head teacher Richard Grimmer said it was a great example of a project for the school’s talented and gifted (TAG) programme.

He said: “Each pupil has a ‘passport’ of challenges that they may wish to complete and Reece chose to look at doing something on equality for women.

“It was lovely that his family became so involved in the project, and we thank them for their support and hard work. The book is amazing.”

The family is now planning to write another book next summer and are trying to choose a theme to research.

Shelly added: “It’s important for young people to see women who have achieved great things. I hope it has made them feel they can all do whatever they want.”