Painting children’s stories

There’s a world of storytelling opening up for young visitors at the Historic Dockyard Chatham.

The children’s exhibition Painting with Rainbows, based on the work of award-winning children’s illustrator Michael Foreman, went on show to the public at the weekend and will be open until the end of November. It explores his storytelling and imagines a world without conflict that cares for the environment and celebrates the importance of friendship.

Visitors are also encouraged to write messages for the future and put them on a Tree of Hope. People can travel through drawings from his ever-present sketchbook, which he carried everywhere with him, and storytelling plus activities including an air raid experience where an ARP warden will lead them into shelters.

There will be cosy reading corners where youngsters can sketch away and write ideas for peace on the blackboard. Michael said: “The Tree of Hope, where children can attach ribbons of their hopes and dreams, adds a wonderfully positive and affirmative finale to the exhibition.”

He will be giving a talk and signing books at the dockyard on Thursday, November 9. It is free but spaces need to be booked by emailing acurson@chdt.org.uk The exhibition has been put on with Seven Stories, the National Centre for Children’s Books, which is the only centre in the UK dedicated to the art of children’s books.

Michael Foreman, Painting with Rainbows, from Seven Stories, will be at the Historic Dockyard Chatham until Sunday, November 26, in the No.1 Smithery.

For more details visit thedockyard.co.uk or call 01634 823800

Michael Foreman will be at Chatham Dockyard for a new exhibition