A CHRISTCHURCH author, Becca Pearl has released a children's book based on the true story of her grandparents.

The book is titled 'Don't Look Back' and describes the story of how her grandparents and father escaped from Czechoslovakia. 

The story was told to Becca throughout her childhood, and only when she got older did she understand the truth behind it. 

Becca said: "Can you imagine embarking on a journey so dangerous you’re carrying a gun loaded with three bullets?

"And you’ve made a pact with your spouse that if you are captured, you will first shoot them, then your child, then yourself.

"That’s the agreement my grandparents made with each other before their escape."

She stated that: "I guess tales of displaced people, immigrants or refugees aren’t your average topics for kids’ books.

"But isn’t there space in the market for something else? Can’t kids’ absorb big topics?

"I think we’re not giving them enough credit if we answer no."

She said: "I’ve felt compelled to tell this story for a long time, in part to honour my family history and in part because it’s a great story!"

For every copy of the book that's sold, Becca is donating 50p to The Refugee Council