The Adventures of Gabriel Featured by SHERA

We’re proud to share that The Adventures of Gabriel has been featured by SHERA Research Group, an organisation dedicated to amplifying the voices of women and children affected by family court proceedings and domestic abuse. In an article written by Dr Elizabeth Dalgarno, founder and director of SHERA, Gabriel and Kate Markland’s collaborative book series is celebrated as a powerful tool for resilience, healing, and hope.

A Light in the Darkness of Family Courts

The deep insight into the trauma that mothers and children often experience in the family courts—a system described as “Kafkaesque” and emotionally destructive. In the face of this, The Adventures of Gabriel stands out as a beacon of light, offering children an emotional anchor and a way to reclaim their voice through imagination and storytelling.

This series wasn’t just created for children—it was born from lived experience. During a prolonged and painful separation due to family court proceedings, Kate and her son Gabriel co-wrote their stories together, one hour a week, over FaceTime. What started as a lifeline soon became a beautiful book, rich with metaphor, hope, and healing.

Storytelling as a Tool for Resilience

The article explores how storytelling provides children with a safe space to:
✔️ Process difficult emotions
✔️ Make sense of their lived experiences
✔️ See themselves as the heroes of their own lives

Through characters like Gabriel and his sidekick, Platy the Platypus, children discover that challenges can be overcome, fears can be faced, and even invisible cages can be broken. These stories become more than tales—they become mirrors, helping children build confidence, emotional strength, and a sense of control in environments where they often feel powerless.

A Mother and Son’s Creative Bond

What makes The Adventures of Gabriel so powerful is not just the story—it’s the process behind it. Despite limited time and resources, Kate and Gabriel’s weekly storytelling became a way to stay connected, to heal, and to create something meaningful together. It’s a reminder to us all that creativity doesn’t require perfection or endless time—it requires intention, presence, and love.

A Call for Change in the Family Court System

The article also places storytelling in the broader context of systemic reform, calling for the family courts to adopt:

• Trauma-informed approaches

• Child-centred decision-making

• Therapeutic and creative tools like storytelling

In a system where children’s voices are too often silenced, storytelling offers a safe, empowering alternative—one that supports identity, emotional recovery, and long-term resilience.

A Message That Resonates

Now an international bestseller and featured on Times Radio at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, The Adventures of Gabriel is more than a book—it’s a movement. A movement that believes children are not passive recipients of trauma but courageous narrators of their own journey.

"Even in the most challenging circumstances, anything is possible with focus, positive thinking, and limited resources."

 A Thank You from Kate

“I’m honoured and humbled to have our work recognised by SHERA. This feature means the world to Gabriel and me. We created this story to stay connected, to hold onto hope—and now it’s helping others do the same.” – Kate Markland

📩 Explore the Feature & Learn More

Read the full article here: SHERA Feature – The Adventures of Gabriel
Order the book: www.theadventuresofgabriel.com