A dental student and children's book illustrator have joined forces to help little ones find the Covid-19 pandemic a little less scary.

Dentistry student Charity Tedder, a 26-year-old from Cobham, and Leighton Noyes, a 48-year-old illustrator from Strood, have created a children's book about the coronavirus.

A Message From Corona is a free book which explains how the virus has travelled around the world, and why hand-washing, social distancing and lockdown are so vital.

The book has been created so it can be read to children as young as three or four and self-read by ages seven and above. In return Charity and Leighton are asking for donations in support of the NHS.

Charity, who is studying to become a dentist at the University of Plymouth, said: "I've always wanted to do something in the medical field.

"My mum, Lesley, was a nurse and my dad, Richard Tedder, is a virologist professor, at the forefront of research into the coronavirus.

"I decided I wanted to become a dentist as it was a perfect balance between building relationships with patients and being hands on in the field."

Due to government guidelines, Charity's university, like many others, shut to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

The student realised information being released about the pandemic was for adult understanding, and – with lots of time on her hands – it was time a simpler explanation was made for children.

Charity is now in her fifth and final year at university. She said: "I've worked with children during my dentistry training, so I've learnt the best ways of helping them understand and remain calm during difficult moments.

"By using pictures and certain wording, children find things less scary, and that's how I wanted to make kids feel during this uncertain time.

"I was speaking about the idea to my mum – she was the one that kind of got the ball rolling.

"For my brother's birthday we had a picture commissioned for him by Leighton. I got in touch and asked how he'd feel about illustrating the book. He thought it was a really good idea."

It took Charity a few days to write up a transcript, and the e-book was originally up after 10 days. After responding to feedback, the final version was finished at the beginning of April.

Leighton said: "It was a privilege to take part in this project and help children understand what is going on at the moment.

"It took about a week to finish all the illustrations. It was exhausting, but also a lot of fun, especially because it was helping children and charities.

"I was up until four in the morning most nights, making sure everything was perfect. I must of had about 15 hours of sleep that week!"

With the words and pictures checked by Charity's dad, Leighton created rough pictures, which were checked before creating the final pieces with pens, ink and water colour.

Leighton has been a children's book illustrator for the past 20 years. He said: "Being a children's illustrator is the best. It was such a responsibility to make this book perfect and easy for children to understand.

"Ever since I was a little boy I've wanted to be an illustrator. I'm happy with any work, but being able to illustrate A Message From Corona was wonderful."

The e-book has been passed on to Gravesham MP Adam Holloway and shared with Public Health England, the World Health Organisation, the UK Science Media Centre, The Royal College of Pathologists, The Royal College of Physicians, Plymouth University and Well Connected SW.

Funds raised will be put towards fighting the Covid-19 crisis, to support the NHS and key workers, and to support charities helping those most vulnerable in this time of need.

Charity and Leighton originally set the GoFundMe page target to £1,000, but in 48 hours of its release, A Message From Corona raised £2,000.

The target is now £3,000 and will be split between NHS Charities Together, National Emergencies Trust and Medicins Sans Frontiers, an international humanitarian medical non-governmental organisation.

If you would like to read A Message From Corona and leave a donation, click here.

To see more of Leighton's work, click here.

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