Children from Ministry of Stories write lyrics to album

Words and music: Share More Air is out now on digital. Photograph: Miriam Douglas

Children from Hackney have had their creative writing transformed into the lyrics for a new album called Share More Air featuring original songs by Ben Folds, Marcus Foster and others.

Songs about cats on missions, friends and enemies, and loving your mum are the fruits of the collaboration between Communion Records and creative writing charity the Ministry of Stories, with 56 children aged 8-13 providing the lyrics.

The project, which was was inspired by a songwriting partnership between the author and co-founder of Ministry of Stories Nick Hornby with musician Ben Folds, aims to show what happens when words and stories written by children are interpreted through the music and vocals of adults.

Nick Hornby said: “We wanted to give the kids the opportunity to see written work transformed. I suppose the very basic goal is to improve the literacy of inner-city children by teaching them that writing is fun and isn’t necessarily what they think it is.”

The children attended a series of after-school workshops at The Ministry of Stories on Hoxton Street from October 2012 onwards, where they were encouraged to think about how songs and lyrics are written.

In the sessions, led by songwriters Rachael Castell and Danilo Walde, the children discussed what they liked or didn’t like about songs and how songs can express thoughts and feelings.

With no rules about what they could write, the children came up with lyrics about pets dying, superhero hotdogs, SATs exams and rollerskating – showing how much children’s concerns differ from those of adults.

In the summer of 2013 they entered the recording studio to put their words to music using professional musicians.

“Everything they like is written – songs are written, video games are written, movies are written,” said Nick Hornby. “We hope we give the kids confidence, the chance to think outside the box and make them realise that it’s possible to make livings in these fields.”

One of the project’s budding lyricists Bryan Mora Rodas, 9, gave the following advice for those thinking of writing a song.

He said: “You have to use your imagination. You have to think of raps, cool raps that rhyme, or sometimes just think of your emotions, or things about the world.”

A digital download of Share More Air is available from iTunes and Amazon. From 25 November, a limited edition CD will be available from Hoxton Street Monster Supplies.