Craig the Crayon leaves a mark
Now available, Craig the Crayon leaves a mark is the debut children's story from myself; Rob Flannery, beautifully illustrated by Samie Illife.
An engaging and heartfelt story imagined to help children gently open conversations about grief, separation anxiety, loss, and their emotions.
My name is Rob,
I'm a father of two and an author who believes in the incredible power of books can have in shaping a child's future.
I create books with a purpose: to spark imagination, encourage meaningful conversations, and support children's learning and development in a fun and engaging way.
To ensure each book delivers genuine value, I work alongside charities and industry professionals to develop stories and supporting resources that are both thoughtful and genuinely impactful.
I hope every child who reads my books enjoys the adventure while gaining something positive to carry with them long after the final page.
MOTIVATIONS
I believe that helping children understand and talk about their feelings is one of the most valuable gifts we can give them.
From a young age, children can experience sadness, worry, loss, and separation, yet there are relatively few storybooks for early years readers that explore these feelings in a gentle, age-appropriate way.
Craig the Crayon leaves a mark was inspired by a desire to help children navigate these experiences with confidence and understanding.
Through storytelling, I hope to create opportunities for meaningful conversations between children and the adults who care for them.
However, this is first and foremost a children's story, one designed to entertain, spark imagination, and be enjoyed by all children, regardless of whether they have experienced grief or separation themselves.
The themes are woven naturally into an engaging adventure, allowing children to connect with the story in their own way and at their own level.
"It's not the mark left on the paper, but the mark left on the boy."
Craig the Crayon leaves a mark was produced in partnership with Harry's Rainbow, a child bereavement charity based in Milton Keynes.
The book proudly forms part of the resources Harry's Rainbow uses to support pre-school and primary-aged children and their families.
To celebrate the charity's 15th anniversary in 2026, 15% of all book profits will be donated to Harry's Rainbow, helping them continue their important work supporting bereaved children.