Raine’s Rainbow Socks

About the Book

This book can be a fun way for a child to learn the different colours of the rainbow while simultaneously learning how to be more caring and helpful towards people and animals. A parent and child can read the story together, with the parent coaching the child on the values that underlie each story – such as critical thinking and the dangers of blaming the wrong person or animal. When there is a mystery that needs to be solved, Raine uses her rainbow socks to help find the truth. Some of the mysteries raise the question of what or who may have been to blame for the event. But Raine can use her rainbow socks to solve a mystery by going back in time and secretly watching the event unfold – or even being a part of that event herself. When Raine comes back to the present time, she knows how to help solve the problem. These stories can make a child feel helpful and can give the parent a sense of pride knowing that their child has learned some valuable lessons.

About the Author

Richard Ditchburn, the author, was born in the village of Ryton, which can be found in northeast England, and he still lives there today. When he was thirteen, he got a job delivering newspapers to houses around Ryton, which gave him a sense of responsibility and fulfilment. At sixteen he started as an apprentice on the local council as a mason pavior – a person who works mainly outside, constructing or repairing footways, roadways, and walls. In both of these jobs he encountered many different and wonderful people, seeing all aspects of good and bad in people. He wrote Raine’s Rainbow Socks as a way of showing children the good in life and how helpful everyone can be – just as Richard has been over the years. At twenty-five, Richard became a manager of a betting shop, and he is still a manager today. As a betting shop manager he is charged with protecting the young and the vulnerable from the world of gambling. Children at a young age can be easily persuaded to do the wrong thing; Richard hopes that Raine’s Rainbow Socks can teach a child to do the right thing.