Hartlepool children's author raising money for great causes with kids' lockdown rainbow stories

Rainbows During Lockdown put together by Robert Powell features 58 rainbow-inspired tales written during lockdown by children aged from four to 15.

It grew out of a six-week creative writing course he hosted for children back in March to give children something positive to do during the first coronavirus lockdown by helping them write a 1,000-word story.

Hundreds of children across the country tuned in every week for the live stream on Facebook.

As a result of the fantastic engagement Robert, who grew up on Caledonian Road and now lives in Hertfordshire, held a Rainbow Writing Competition.

More than 80 children submitted a rainbow-inspired story and he worked with 58 children and their parents from across the UK and even in Australia, to edit, polish and put their stories into the book released shortly before Christmas.

Robert, 37, is donating all of his royalties to ICUsteps, the UK’s only intensive care patient support charity, and charity School-Home Support which provide personalised support to disadvantaged children and families.

He said: "We are aiming to raise as much as we can for these two fantastic charities that have worked so hard during Covid-19 to keep vulnerable people safe.

"The book has has evolved organically and each stage of the process has opened up new opportunities for the children.

“I've been blown away by the standard of the stories and the maturity of the writing. Not only that, the children have been receptive to feedback, and open to suggestions to improve their stories and writing more generally.

"Children and young people are so much more connected with society and the world around them these days. The book offers a glimpse into their imaginations.

"Some stories are lighthearted while others touch upon on a range of topics including climate change, adoption, and losing a family pet.”

Robert, who is married and dad to Noah, Grace and Lois, previously wrote the award-nominated children’s book Odd Socks which he wrote on his daily commute to London where he works as a director of Pro Bono for a US law firm.

Rainbows During Lockdown is available in paperback and e-book from Amazon and Waterstones.

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