At some point during the lockdown brought on by the pandemic, Joan Aspinall penned letters to God on behalf of Bermuda’s children.

She had become particularly concerned for their safety on learning that, contrary to earlier thought, young people were not immune to “the deadly white horse of coronavirus Covid-19”.

Her book, Dear God, Save the Children. We are the Future, asks for their safety and details the dreams its characters hope to accomplish once they are older: becoming a tree, an astronaut, a sea captain, a fairy, a gombey and everything in between.

Thirty per cent of sales will go towards the causes of groups and organisations “working to help families during this pressing time”.

Ms Aspinall, an artist who has authored 14 books, got the idea from a project orchestrated by the National Museum of Bermuda.

“They had put out a call to people in the creative field to write what their experiences were during the lockdown – what they were creating, what they were doing in either art or writing,” she said.

“I had completed three different, sort of essay, compositions for them – this was in April, early on in the whole line of [the pandemic] – and I thought, this needs to be taken to a further step. It needs a book.”

Using some of her art and material from previous publications she was able to quickly pull it all together.

“I thought that this should be more than one person putting their perspective on paper, this should be a book that can live for ever in the hearts of the children and parents of the ‘now’, and in the future,” Ms Aspinall said. “When the news in August confirmed that children throughout the world were being infected I knew I was on the right track. By then Dear God was finished and ready for printing. I also felt an inner determination that it should go out on the international market as a print-on-demand publication for it is a book that would make Bermuda proud.”

The book details the prayers of 15 children asking God to spare them from Covid-19 so they can live to fulfil their dreams.

“At a very critical time in our history, with a worldwide pandemic, Covid-19, Joan has written an awe-inspiring book as though she was given each word from the gods of love, directed to children with vivid illustrations that will excite them because they love to dream, think about the environment and the mythical world of mermaids and fairies,” wrote Dale Butler in the book’s forward.

“[Jeannine] Moonbeam, Buttercup, [Sean] Kickingfeet, Pumpkin and friends all have a desire to grow up and this book will keep them safe and make it happen. The positive message can easily supplement the school curriculum to build literacy, critical thinking skills and future authors.”

At the moment, proceeds are earmarked for food programmes run by Christ Church Warwick, St Peter’s Church and Bermuda’s Catholic churches however, with a long history of giving, Ms Aspinall is hoping to get more charities involved.

With the help of Norma Nottingham, she raised $850 through the sale of her prints following the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the US. The money was given to the Firemen's Association of the State of New York.

In 2017, with help from Jeannine Smith, she donated $2976.63 from art sales to help rebuild the hurricane-hit Alpha Center, a school for special needs children in Dominica.

Here in Bermuda, she “has donated hundreds upon hundreds of her books to our schools and children”.

Said Ms Aspinall: “The project is open to all groups, schools and PTAs to use as fundraisers for special projects enhancing the lives of our children. Each participating group is responsible for promoting the project among their own supporters/congregations so there is no confusion over distribution of funds.

"Ironically, I am dealing with two religious groups, the Presbyterians and the Catholics, both who are enthusiastic and encouraging about the fundraiser, but the non-religious entity of Eliza DoLittle Society turned it down because they were ‘concerned about the religious context of the book’.

"A book filled with happy children talking to God, and they are concerned? I personally challenge them on that point as, who are they to judge?"

The news that young children could also be affected by the virus proved she was “on the right track” with her theme.

“The Covid-19 virus has inflicted major catastrophes worldwide,” she wrote in a blurb on the back of the book. “Infections among children have been sparse, but lately an increase of cases triggered concerns in a sector that was previously untouched.

“Children are not as immune as they were once thought to be. The Bermuda Government enforced a strict code of behaviour, saving the island from tragedies experienced in other nations. We are a strong country, we shall survive.

“May God protect people in nations who are less fortunate, bless the families of those who have lost loved ones, and comfort those who are fighting the virus. May God have mercy on us all.”

Joan Aspinall will launch Dear God, Save the Children. We Are the Future tomorrow at the Bermuda Society of Arts. Copies, $20, will be available for purchase there and at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in the former Bluck’s building on Front Street. Buyers will also receive a complimentary T-shirt for children. Interested charities can contact Ms Aspinall at joankaspinall@yahoo.com or 293-2529