JUST like literary sensation Harry Potter, Libby Rees is no ordinary schoolchild.

But this 12-year-old has more in common with Harry's creator, best-selling author J K Rowling, than the teenage wizard himself.

Libby, from Avon, Ringwood, published her first book - Help, Hope and Happiness - when she was nine.

Her second, At Sixes and Sevens, hit the bookshelves earlier this month.

A self-help book, with hints on making the transition from primary to secondary school, the 60-page publication took Libby just two weeks to write.

She says: "Year six is the golden academic year, when you're the most mature, most educated, most responsible of students.

"Then, wham, you're the smallest of the small again, but this time in a huge secondary, and you're worried whether you'll be able to live up to the teachers' expectations.

"It's such a big thing that I thought writing about it might help someone else going through it."

Her first book was also written from personal experience, following the break-up of her parents' marriage, partly to come to terms with her own pain.

"I had lots of tips in my head I'd used to help me cope, and I wanted to turn the experience into something positive.

"There are books written for parents, or written by adults, but I thought a child going through that experience would find it helpful to hear from another child."

Libby has certainly found a niche in the market. Help, Hope and Happiness is now in print in Japan, Italy, the Netherlands, Macau, Thailand and Hong Kong, with other overseas rights pending; while At Sixes and Sevens looks set to follow suit.

Her second book may be aimed specifically at the pre-teen market, but her first is a treasure trove of tips and words of wisdom we can all find solace in, which may explain why it's become such a global sensation.

"It isn't just for children in the middle of divorce," Libby is keen to clarify.

"It's for anyone who wants to be more happy - and I chose the three words in the title to sum that up."

She's certainly caring and considerate, with a compassionate nature well beyond her years.

For each book sold, Libby has pledged a donation to the charity Save the Children.

"When we're given opportunities in life, it's important not just to think about ourselves, but other people too," she says.

"A lot of children don't have the things we take for granted, and we need to raise awareness for other children who don't have a voice."

Libby also gives up her time to help others: she's an ambassador for Save the Children and sits on the youth board of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service.

She wants to be a political activist and human rights campaigner. She recently travelled to Portugal to take part in the student body at the Africa-Europe EU summit, and lobbied MPs at the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth last September.

Her numerous awards and accolades include the Diana Award, a special commendation from the Anne Frank Trust and a prestigious Save the Children award presented to her by Princess Anne.

Over the past few years, Libby has appeared on Australia's Channel 9, taken part in an ABC exclusive (in front of 23 million people) on Good Morning America in Time Square Studios, New York and has even sat on Richard and Judy's sofa.

She giggles: "I didn't feel like I was on TV at all. It just felt like I was going round for a coffee and a chat - although I did have a bit of a shock when I found out it was live!"

She's been recognised on the street in London, had Elton John's make-up artist do her face and even danced on the set of Strictly Come Dancing with Blue Peter presenter and hunky heart-throb Gethin Jones.

But despite all the media attention, this Bournemouth School for Girls pupil is keeping her feet firmly on the ground.

She smiles shyly when I ask whether she's treated herself to anything special with the proceeds from her books: "I always wanted to live on a farm, or near one, so when we moved to the cottage I bought four chickens!" (The birds are all named after famous authors - Jacqueline Wilson, Agatha Christie, Adeline Mei and Eva Ibbotson.) As publisher Charles Faulkner said: "Libby's a born superstar.

"Her manuscript stood out from all the others because of her original ideas, unique perspective and exceptional character.

"She's very mature and philosophical.

"She'll go far."

  • Help, Hope and Happiness and At Sixes and Sevens are published by Aultbea, priced £9.99 and £9.95 respectively. Libby will be signing copies of her second book at Waterstone's in Castlepoint, Bournemouth, on Saturday, February 23, from 1pm.