A gentle story that explores the arc of life from joyful beginnings to a graceful goodbye.

About The Robe of Rainbow Feathers

The Robe of Rainbow Feathers is a book, audiobook, animated short film conceived, written and narrated by multi-faceted musician and writer Diane Arkenstone. The project was created with the collaboration with illustrator Anja Silbar, director and sound designer Wesley Price, animator Isaac David Quesada and composer Daniel Cimo. It’s geared toward kids aged 3-5 with strikingly colorful images, classically-inflected music and a simple, yet vivid storyline with themes that resonate with people of all ages.

The main character lives in a house set in an idyllic natural setting that allows her to foster a respect for the many friends and colorful creatures that live near her and gather around her. The young girl eventually grows to learn that the world also contains negative elements and is not always so kind. As she grows older she ultimately overcomes her fears by focusing on the kind and peaceful aspects of the world, giving her a lifetime of courage and happiness.

About the Story

This story is dedicated to “our beautiful Earth and all of her children” and captures a familiar sense of wonder and innocence that reflects back on her childhood. Yet, The Robe of Rainbow Feathers goes further than any of her past works for children as it sensitively explores themes such as negativity in the world and the concept of aging and even death. It’s one of her most personal projects and a deep dive into her emotions. It’s unique that she can share these emotions creatively through the eyes of a child and in such a way that children can understand.

Diane shares some of her inspirations:

I still feel like a kid and keep childhood alive by writing these stories. And writing children’s stories is a great joy because I can share parts of my wild, wonderful childhood in the stories.

I was in deep grief from the recent passing of our mom and started writing to channel the grief and this story just came out.

Growing up on a ranch, we always took in wild or domestic, injured animals such as birds, raccoons, deer, turtles, horses, sheep, ferrets, rabbits, dogs, cats, rats, pigs, cows and even hawks, owls, eagles and even lions! Including a variety of animals in the story felt like home.

Dad created lots of habitats for birds, deer and other wildlife so they could be protected from the elements, and Mom loved it when the deer, birds and an occasional bear would come over and feast on the apple and peach trees. Sometimes the coyotes, a wolf and turkeys would enjoy a meal of the fallen fruit.

The girl is a combination of our mom, and one of my sisters who has a bluebird sanctuary on her horse ranch, and then there is bit of me in her too, which makes her strong, independent and compassionate.