Month: February 2026

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🏺✨Our Story!

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This is going out a little later than planned. It was the first week back after half term, so of course one of the kids was ill (the eldest) off his food, sleeping past 6.30am for one of the first times in his life, and home for most of the week. To add to the hectic chaos, I somehow convinced myself it was dress-down day and sent them in wearing football kits. My husband took them in and phoned me… cue a frantic scramble to pull together actual uniforms and dash them into school.

Should I be more organised? Probably. But I’m choosing to file this under “character building for the children” and something we’ll laugh about in years to come.

Lessons From a Default Parent by Lou Beckett published by DK Books

This week I’ve been listening to Lou Beckett’s new book Lessons From a Default Parent published by DK Books , and I honestly can’t sing praises highly enough. It’s incredibly relatable, genuinely funny, and perfectly captured every feeling I had during that failed non-non-uniform-day dash this morning.

One parent who truly gets it …and with whom I’ve exchanged many WhatsApp messages about the chaos of parenting (including the occasional request to borrow cups of sugar, except replace “sugar” with tonic or ice for Friday gins!) is my lovely friend Louise Tripp. Huge thanks to her for taking time out of her hectic grown-up life to take part in this month’s Our Story Q&A.

This week, Louise, a family solicitor, and her youngest daughter Helena (10) talk about books, Greek myths and how reading fits into family life.

Other members in the Tripp household include Dad Guy, who is a fan of car and Formula 1 magazines, (which fits in brilliantly with the National Year of Reading 2026, #GoAllIn ethos of reading what you love!) and big Sister Sylvie (13)

Sylvie (13) prefers audiobooks (Editor: reminder to do a separate posts on the brilliance of audiobooks!). Recently, she has been listening to a lot of YA, including The Hunger Games, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and, most recently, the Caraval series. Sylvie is also currently reading Percy Jackson and was interested to hear what it is about the books that has Helena so hooked.

Helena is firmly in her Percy Jackson era (as is my own son!), which makes this a nice example of a families reading for pleasure, together. When Helena’s not reading Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan published by Puffin (UK) she’s usually got a Lottie Brooks book by Katie Kirby published by Puffin (UK) on the go.

Louise, What was your favourite book growing up and have you read it to your own children?

L: This was such a hard question because I kept remembering more and more books that I loved as a child. Some that I loved and have read with them are Meg and Mog when they were really little, then when they were a bit older, The Faraway Tree books, lots of Roald Dahl and The Secret Garden. Some other of my childhood favourites that I’ve now remembered about that I think they’d love are Charlotte’s Web, The Wheel on the School (Editor: will be looking this one up!) and Charlotte Sometimes.  

And if you could relive one story time memory with your children, which would it be?
L: Oh, another hard question! I think the first time I read the first Harry Potter to each of them. Although they’ve both moved on from that series now, they were both totally hooked by the magic and now they both love the fantasy genre. The audiobook read by Stephen Fry is also superb and brought them comfort and helped them go to sleep every night for years

A children’s book character babysits one evening, who would it be and why? (and for all of us nosy inquisitive grown-ups … where would you go?)
L: Hmm, if I’m being mean maybe I’d say Miss Trunchbull from Matilda because she’d keep them in line! 😁

Helena: Could you at least not choose Miss Honey?!

L: Maybe. Anyway, if I’m being nice, other than Miss Honey, I’d say Sally Jackson (Percy’s mum) because Helena would be over the moon with this and I feel like given all the stressful situations she handled with Percy, she’d be able to take care of anything that happened while I was out. 
And where would I go? Guy and I would probably go for dinner and then to the theatre, a concert or a comedy show. (Editor: sounds like the perfect night out!!)

Helena, what’s your favourite book right now and why?
H: My favourite books are the Percy Jackson series, but I couldn’t narrow it down to just one book. These books are about a young demi-God, who is a child of Poseidon (Greek God of the Sea) and a mortal. He goes on quests with his friends and tries to avoid getting killed in very nasty ways (if you know, you know). I enjoy this book series because I love fantasy and adventure narratives, it includes my interest (mum says obsession!) with Greek mythology and it feels like the characters are real people and they actually have a personality, not just generic characters. I also like how it highlights the positive aspects of being neurodivergent. Percy is dyslexic, his brain is hardwired to read Ancient Greek, and he has ADHD because he has strong battle reflexes. 

And which children’s book character comes to life in your world. Who is it and where would you take them for the day?
H: After being heavily debated, I picked Tyson (Percy’s cyclops brother) over Grover (Percy’s satyr mate) – sorry Grover!  I would take Tyson to the beach as he is a child of Poseidon and if we could, we would ride hippocampi, a creature Tyson loves, to a beach café.

Louise: What would you have at the café?

H: Fish and chips!  

What’s your favourite memory of reading with your grown-up? H: it’s really hard because there’s so many but one that comes to mind was when I asked Dad to read and he made one up, which became a classic in our house, called Monkey Goes to the Shop. (Publishers, call us! 😉) I always read at bedtime with Mum or Dad. One day Mum said I should read a book called Percy Jackson. We started reading it together and we’ve never stopped!

Which story best captures something special about your family? H: I think we should choose Peepo by Janet and Allan Ahlberg published by Puffin, because it’s a story we’ve all read together since me and Sylvie were young. We’ve loved it ever since.

L: I agree, it’s such a lovely story and I have such happy memories of us having cuddles before bed while reading this. (Editor: What a beautiful choice! 🥹)

Thank you so much to the Tripp family for sharing their story world with us!
Inspired by their love of Greek Myths, here are a few suggestions that will satisfy any Philhellene (fan of Greek culture & history)

Who Let The Gods Out? By Maz Evans published by Usbourne (I’m OBSESSED with this series and still haven’t finished the last book as don’t want it to be over 😂🫣 and check out the stage production at Polka Theatre🔗 )
Greek Myths Folktales and Legends by Vicki Psarias-Broadbent and illustrated by Paula Zorite, published by Scholastic. Such a beautiful collection of tales. We have a copy at home and have given to schools. And I know that our young Greek Mythology expert Helena has a copy and said she loves it!
Hercules: The Diary of a (Sort of) Hero by Tom Vaughan and illustrations by David O’Connell, published by Scholastic. Great for fans of Diary of A Wimpy Kid and Louie Stowell’s Loki (Loki is another absolute MUST READ!)
Aesop’s Fables by Caroline Lawrence illustrations and illustrations by Robert Ingpen, published by Welbeck Editions. Caroline very kindly gave my son a copy and it’s beautiful. I devoured Aesops Fables as a child and Caroline’s book brought so many memories back – (plus a few stories I didn’t know!)

For YA & adult:



Medusa: The Girl Behind The Myth by Jessie Burton published by Bloomsbury YA. A retelling of the Greek myth that reframes Medusa as a vulnerable teenager exiled to a lonely island. So many people have recommend this to me. I loved Jessie’s The Miniaturist so this is very high up on my To Be Read list!
Circe by Madeline Miller published by Bloomsbury (thanks to Victoria, mum from next month’s Battle of the Books’ family, for the suggestion!) It reimagines the life of the sorceress from Homer’s Odyssey. Again, only heard good things about this so am very excited to be reading it next!

That rounds up this week’s Our Story!

Thanks for reading and please do check out March’s challenge. It closes soon! March’s Your Words! Challenge 🔗 children can be in with a chance of winning £10 book voucher!



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📖Storyteller!

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It’s half term here in UK and writing this from my mobile phone in distracted environments so apologies in advance for any typos/formatting!

It’s been a wet and rainy month but thankfully we have a lot to keep us distracted including suspense who will win Battle of The Books (see below!) and a beautiful Q&A with our Storyteller of the month Sophie Anderson.

And if you want something to keep your own young storytellers busy – check out March’s Your Story! Challenge HERE🔗!

This year is the National Year of Reading, and I decided to set myself a goal: read more non-fiction. (For the grown-ups only: I’m currently reading The Minds of Billy Milligan by Daniel Keyes, published by Orion Publishing Group. It’s utterly gripping. Lots of trigger warnings, but I’d still highly recommend it.)

Yesterday evening, I was midread and my eldest excitedly asked,

“Mum, have you read A Series of Unfortunate Events yet? It’s SO good!”

I admitted I hadn’t.

I told him I’d love to. Just as soon as I finished my current book… and the ever growing to be read pile waiting to be reviewed.🫣

His face fell.

And that’s when it hit me.

We’re always encouraging our children to read what we suggest. We hand them books we loved, books we think they should read, books we think are good for them, books we remember reading ourselves. But how often do we turn that around? How often do we say, “Alright then…what do you recommend?”

So I’ve set myself a new challenge…read their suggestions. No matter what. I’ve agreed with him for every chapter of my own choice, I’ll read a chapter of their choices (admittedly as a one book at a time woman it will take a bit of getting used to!)

Because the truth is, I adore children’s books. I don’t believe they’re only for children. They are for EVERYONE. There’s a kind of freedom in them that you don’t always find in adult fiction. The imagination is boundless, the possibilities feel infinite, and even though they’re written by adults, children’s books aren’t tangled up in the same limits and conformity we gradually wrap around ourselves as we grow older.

Maybe it’s time we let them lead the way for a while.

What children’s books can you recommend?

⚔️📖 Talking of grown ups reading children’s books..at last it’s time for the Battle of the Books reveal!

Mum Shetal with daughters Shreyana and Seraina

Mum and illustrator Shetal and her daughters Shreyana and Seraina went head-to-head-to-head with their favourite reads: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens, and That’s Not My Name by Anoosha Syed.

And the winner is… Murder Most Unladylike! Congratulations, Shreyana! 🎉

Winner: Murder Most Unladylike chosen by Shreyana!

Keep an eye out next month as Cruise Ship Kid author Emma Swan and another family go head-to-head for the chance to see their book choices reign supreme!

Sophie Anderson – Storyteller of The Month!

And now let me introduce Sophie Anderson to our Storyteller of the Month spot! The first time I picked up the first of her stories based on Slavic folktales: The House With Chicken Legs published by Usbourne Publishing I kid you not …a shiver went down my spine. Years later, my boys were hooked on the audible version too. My uni dissertation was based on Russian folklore, so I have a particular interest but even without this, as a mum these books and tales are magical and hold the infinite imagination and wonder of children’s books mentioned earlier in my blog. All of Sophie’s books …The House With Chicken Legs, The Girl Who Speaks Bear, The Castle of Tangled Magic, The Thief Who Sang Storms and The Snow Girl are as enchanting and captivating as their titles suggest.

The collection so far.
published by Usbourne Publishing

Personally I can’t wait for the latest The House With Chicken Legs Runs Away to come out (9th April 2026!🥳)

📝 Fun facts about Sophie:

🐚 Sophie grew up by the seaside, loved collecting shells and fossils, and dreamed of being a mermaid.

🤿 At university she learned how to scuba dive, and dived lots of ancient shipwrecks in Scotland.

🐓 Sophie is the proud owner of three chickens called Henrietta, Chewbacca, and Maracca. (Editors note: LOVE THIS!)

👋 Welcome Sophie! What are some of your earliest story or reading memories that shaped your imagination as a child?

My grandmother used to tell me Slavic fairy tales while sat at her piano, so that she could play a dramatic soundtrack for them.

Winter often brings a special kind of magic to reading. Who were your favourite kid lit winter book characters when you were younger and do you have new favourites now? Moominland Midwinter by Tove Jansson was a favourite childhood read, which features the most wintry of characters, the Groke. A recent favourite is The Other Father Christmas written by Serena Holly and illustrated by Shahab Shamshirsaz. It’s so much fun!

Who or what encouraged you when you first starting out as a writer? I came to writing quite late and I think what encouraged me most was discovering a much more diverse range of voices in children’s literature than I had experienced as a child. David Almond’s working-class voice in Skellig and Salman Rushdie’s lyrical, whimsical Haroun and the Sea of Stories, although very different, both made me feel that there might be a place for my voice and my kind of writing.

What was the moment that made you realise storytelling wasn’t just something you loved, but a permanent and meaningful part of your life? My writing has always felt meaningful on a personal level, but it grew into something more when The House with Chicken Legs published. I had been writing, on and off, for around ten years in my spare time, but had never considered that I might make a career out of it. The House with Chicken Legs changed that. My writing moved from being something I did occasionally around the edges of the day, to being this huge part of my life, and a full-time job. 

The Snow Girl, (recently re-released in paperback by Usbourne) weaves in beautifully with your Slavic folk-inspired storytelling. What memories from the book do you hope will stay with the readers after they have stepped into Tasha and Alyana’s magical world? I hope readers find something memorable and meaningful to them. I think one of the best things about fiction is that it connects with different people in different…(and often very personal)…ways. If, when a reader finishes the story, they are happy that they read it and feel that Tasha’s and Alyana’s world has brought a little magic into their lives, then I will be thrilled!

Without giving too much of the book away, what was your favourite part of writing The Snow Girl? I’ve always loved writing animal characters, and there are a few in The Snow Girl. I also love writing magic and of course the snow girl herself, Alyana, has some wonderful winter magic to play with. 

February is a month for love, and The Snow Girl is full of it in many different ways. What does love mean to you in her world? Love is definitely a verb in The Snow Girl, shown through the caring actions of friends, family and community.

And just for fun!

If you could take one tiny bit of Alyana’s magic in to your own world, what would it be and why?

There is so much of her magic I would like to play with! If I can only pick one, then making snowflakes dance into pictures that tell a story.

Where in our world would Tasha and Alyana most love to dance in the snow?

Karelia, in NW Russia. It’s such a beautiful place filled with magic! (Editor quickly Googles “Karelia” …and WOW! 😍)

🌟STAR READER QUESTION FROM JAMIE, AGED 8

How long does it usually take you to write a book and what do you do if you run out of ideas for characters? Which character is most like you? (Brilliant questions Jamie!)

From start to finish (including lots of drafts), around 18 months to two years. If I run out of ideas a good walk often helps, or refilling my creative well by immersing myself in other people’s works of art. I am most like Tasha in The Snow Girl I think… at heart I am very shy.

What beautiful answers Sophie! Thank you so much for taking part! And of course to our 🌟Star Reader Jamie for his fab questions.


The House With Chicken Legs Runs Away – Coming April 9, 2026.
Published by Usborne Publishing.

For Sophie’s latest events CLICK HERE 🔗

Next week…Our Story! Family Q&A plus some gorgeous book reviews – Thanks as ever for reading!

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⚔️Feb: Battle of The Books!⚔️

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Welcome to February’s Battle of the Books… And what an exciting edition!
It started out as Mum Shetal’s classic read vs Shreyana’s fab middle grade murder mystery. BUT it’s turned into a full family showdown! Younger sister Seraina wanted a piece of the action too with her latest picture book read. And in the Kids’ Storyworld spirit of stories are for everyone….CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! But how will this story end? Read through the Battle and then YOU decide!

Grown Up Contender: Shetal Bhayani
Current Favourite Adult Reads: Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett and Quick Silver by Callie Hart
Age: Colours on an artists palette (ie. use your imagination!)
Occupation: Fabulous artist, illustrator, writer …and that’s not all! Shetal is a magnificant Mum to daughters Shreyana and Seraina
Special Skills: creative fabulousness, book devourer and great storyteller!

Book Pick: The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exuperv Publisher: Wordsworth Classics

Kid Contender 1: Sheryana
Age: 11
Hobbies: choosing favourite books with mum

Book Pick: Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens Publisher: Corgi Childrens

Kid Contender 2: Seraina
Age: 6
Hobbies: Art and joining Mum and Sheryana in brilliant book reads!

And now for the BATTLE ROUNDS!

✨ROUND 1:
What’s your book about?

Shetal: The Little Prince is about a pilot who meets a small prince from another planet. The prince teaches him (and us) how to see the world properly again.

Shreyana: Murder Most Unladylike is about two girls, Hazel and Daisy. They start a Detective Agency to solve the mystery of their murdered Science teacher.

Seraina: My book is That’s Not My Name. It’s a picture book about a girl named Mirha. She is excited to start school, but no one pronounces her name correctly!

✨ROUND 2
Why should children (and grown ups!) read your book? What’s the best thing about it?

Shetal: Because it’s a simple story on the surface, but underneath it reminds us not to forget what matters… kindness, curiosity, and caring for the people (and planets) we love.

Shreyana: The best thing about this book is when Hazel and Daisy keep eliminating names to see who murdered Miss Bell. (Editor: Oooooh! LOVE a good mystery!!!)

Seraina: The best thing about this book is she makes friends.

✨ROUND 3:
Mum, what’s your favourite scene in the book and why?
Shetal: The meeting with the fox, because it explains friendship and love in a way that’s gentle, funny, and so true it sneaks up on you.

Kids, if your book were a snack, what snack would it be?
Shreyana: If this Murder Most Ladylike were a snack, it would be a sweet (and I mean really sweet) and tasty pastry because when they talk about pastries in the book, it makes my mouth water so much!

Seraina: If That’s Not My Name were a snack, it would be a pancake because I love them and so does Mirha.
(Editor: It’s nearly lunchtime and these books are making me hungry!!)

✨Round 4:
Parent/kid life would be a little dull without the chaos that we’ve become accustomed to so with that in mind…

Mum, this one’s for you:
You’re stuck in a chaotic children’s party (Soft play hell, sugar highs, lost socks…you know the kind!)
One of the characters is with you for the day.
Who are they, and how do they help restore order…or make it more fun?!
Shetal: The Little Prince himself…He’d ask calm curious questions, remind everone what’s actually important and somehow turn the chaos into a quiet adventure where even the adults feel a bit better!

🎨And Kids:
In the school art room, a pot of glue tips over and sticks the teacher to the chair!
Which character from your book appears and do they:
a) Help free the teacher
or
b) take advantage of the chaos for a laugh?
How?

Shreyana: Daisy would appear but sty hidden to take advantage of chaos for a laugh!
Seraina: Hayden would take advantage of the chaos and run to the playground!

(Editor’s note to art teachers everywhere: HIDE THE GLUE POTS!!!)

✨ROUND 5
Mum, convince the voters using only 3 sound effects to choose your book. No words.
Shetal: Whoosh, giggle, hmmmmmm

Kids, what 3 emotions would describe your book and encourage voters to pick yours?
Sheryana: Curious, anxious, excited!
Seraina: Happy, upset, proud!

Now, dear voters, it’s over to you!
What a brilliant battle! Whose pages have peaked your interest? Which book is worthy of your vote?
Vote for your favourite book & keep your eyes peeled for next week’s feature when the winner will be revealed!

***VOTING CLOSED***


From Book Battle to Book Snap!
Need some reads to keep you going over half term? Here are some quick reading recommendations for busy grown and kids! Inspired by Shreyana’s mystery book choice…

Picture Book: Rhyme Crime Jon Burger-man Publisher: OUP Oxford
Book Snap For: Kids who love rhyming, word play and funny reads!

Middle Grade: Lockett & Wilde: The Ghosts of the Manor by Lucy Strange
Book Snap For: Fans of Lemony Snicket’s Unfortunate Events, humour and spooky mysteries. Fab on audible too!

Kids Non-Fiction: How To Be A Detective and other crime fighting jobs
by DC Alexandra Beever & Sol Linero Publisher: Nosy Crow
Book Snap For: Inquisitive children who want to know how it’s done and love a game of I spy!


And one for the grown ups …literally cannot recommend this enough. It would actually be criminal not to read Everyone I’ve suggested the series to has come back raving about it and begging to know when the next one is out. (there’s currently 2 in the series):
Over My Dead Body by Maz Evans
Book Snap For: Fans of Thursday Murder Club, and fantastically funny murder mysteries. Great on audible too.

Coming up next week….Magical Storyteller of the Month Sophie Andersonn shares insights and imagination to her beautiful world of The Snow Girl and Battle of the Books reveal!

Bored during half term? Then enter March Your Words Challenge!

March’s Your Words! Challenge: Your Words – Your Way!

Up for the next challenge? Our March’s Your Words! challenge is up to you! Your words…your way!
Open to children aged 5–11 in the UK, they can write or record a poem or story, or draw a comic strip story or poem
Written/spoken: Max 350 words
Comic Strip: Max 4 panels

It must be imaginative, original, your own words/pictures
Prompts to help (but all completely optional!):
Something weird happening at school/football/gym club
Your art turns to life
A mini made up autobiography or biography of someone you know

One Star Kids’ Storyworld Storyteller will be chosen to receive a £10 National Book Tokens voucher!

Ready to share your story? We can’t wait to read your entries and see how you interpret the theme!

Send your entries to: kidsstoryworld.abc@gmail.com
Deadline: Sunday, March 2nd 2026 (UK)

Terms & Conditions:

  • Only children aged 5–11 living in the UK can enter.
  • Entries must be submitted with parent/guardian permission.
  • The voucher is not redeemable for cash.
  • The Kids’ Storyworld decision is final.









🌈Your Words!

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Welcome to February’s Your Words!

Normally, I’d start by giving you a paragraph, with a sneak peek at what’s coming up (Sarah Surgey’s fabulous storytelling tips, an incredible entry for February’s Your Words! Challenge, and of course, announcing March’s exciting competition!) But today, I want to take a moment to address something big. Something that’s been on my mind. A lot.

THE NATIONAL YEAR OF READING 2026 – Go All In 🔗

It’s a huge campaign. Monumental, really. Everyone in the Children’s Literature industry is talking about it, and for good reason. This campaign is doing so much work with charities and promoting all the joys of reading for pleasure. It has the support of a fantastic line up of children’s authors like Nadia Shireen (Grimwood series…Brilliantly funny!) and Rob Biddulph, (author of howlingly hilarious and adventurous The Last Wolf …out now!) as well as high-profile ambassadors such as Joe Wicks, Leah Williamson, Richard Osmond and Stephen Fry. All of them are very rightly proud to champion #GoAllIn2026 campaign.
And The National Year of Reading kicked off at Arsenal Stadium on January 13th (as a Brentford fan, I still say don’t let that put you off!😜)

But here’s the thing parents and guardians don’t seem to know about it.

In fact, I’ve asked a different parent almost every day since December if they’ve heard of the National Year of Reading. And so far, not a single one has. Not even the most avid readers. Not even up until yesterday.

But why?

I have a few theories (though none of them are scientifically proven!).

First, there’s the echo chamber of social media. If you take a look at the posts around this campaign, you’ll often see that the people sharing and commenting are already part of the conversation…the ones who are passionate about reading, the authors and illustrators behind the books, and the ones already promoting literacy.

Then, there’s the reality of being a parent. Parents often rush through mainstream bookstores or supermarkets, trying to grab something familiar before rushing home for dinner or heading off to the next school pick up/activity/work meeting. We make quick decisions, reaching for the books we recognise, the ones we grew up with, the ones that don’t take another atom of our already depleted energy in that hectic moment.

Let’s face it, when we’ve got tired, grumpy kids trailing behind us, or a toddler in the middle of a meltdown between the aisles of The Gruffalo and Dog Man, the choices are made in a rush. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Those are great books! But it also means that other books and authors often get overlooked.

Another reason, in my experience, is that many parents feel overwhelmed when it comes to finding new books. I get asked for recommendations all the time. I love it! My phone is full of messages from parents asking what their children might enjoy or advice on how to get their kids reading, and I happily send them recommendations. I’ve even set up WhatsApp book groups for my kids’ classes to share ideas. There’s definitely a demand for new reading suggestions. It’s not that parents aren’t interested. It’s that they need information that’s easy to access and digest because let’s face it… it’s one less thing we have to juggle!

If you’re in the Kidlit industry, take a moment and ask yourself: Where did you first hear about the National Year of Reading? If you weren’t already immersed in the world of children’s literature, would you have come across it?

Echo chambers like this aren’t unusual in any industry, and thankfully, we have The National Year of Reading as an opportunity to raise awareness and break out of them. As people in the children’s literature world, we have a fundemental responsibility to ensure that parents and guardians…(who are already juggling a million things) know what’s out there. There’s currently not so much out there in the media highlighting children’s authors (who by the way should be regarded as the rockstars that they are!) So it’s up to us to make it easy for parents and guardians to discover new, exciting books for their kids.

And to all those parents and guardians out there, how can we help?
What has been your experience so far? What would make it easier for you to find great books for your children and to make reading itself accessible? We’d love to hear from you!

📝Author’s Top Tips!


And talking of discovering new books, meet Sarah Surgey, author of The Pythagarous Puzzle, the first in The Subject Society series, (illustrations: Larisa Ivankovic Publisher: Tiny Tree Books out 5th March 2026) and emotional literacy books such as Jumping Hurdles (illustrations: Nathasha Gunathilake Publisher: HB Publishing House) and Greener Grass (Illustrations: Dannii Summerfield Publisher: Brilliant Monsters).
Sarah is also co-director of the children’s literature festival in Bristol, Storytale🔗and her author events are both engaging and fun. The perfect author for National Story Telling Week’s🔗Author Top Tips!

When your story feels a little stuck … try looking somewhere different.
Step outside with one of your grown-ups and let the outside help you begin.

Where are you standing?
A busy street, a quiet park, a playground, a shop on the corner?
Write it down because you’ve just found your setting!

Now listen.
What can you hear? Footsteps, birds singing, cars rushing by, people chatting?
Maybe someone is laughing, maybe someone is in a hurry.
These sounds and conversations can become part of your dialogue.

Look closely.
What is happening around you?
Children walking to school, cafés opening their doors, people waiting for the bus, dogs pulling on their leads?
These moments are full of action which can move your story forward.

Let your surroundings help you decide what kind of story it wants to be.
Is it calm or busy? Funny or thoughtful?

When you’re ready… head back to the page and start writing or recording your story. Play with your words. Use what you see, hear, and feel.

Thank you Sarah for these fantastic tips… Loads of food for thought!

💗February Challenge: L-O-V-E, Mission: in 100-250 words Children had to write or record a story or poem starting with L and finishing with E with reference to love (could be romantic, hobby, pet, minecraft…free rein!)

And now the moment you’ve been waiting for…the result of February’s Your Words! writing challenge.
This month’s FABULOUS entry and winner of the £10 National Book Token Voucher is Urvi, aged 10.
I shared the first line of her story on Instagram earlier in the week and it knocked our kidlit socks off!
It’s stories like Urvi’s that can give us all so much hope for the future of literature.
Quirky, imaginative and a killer first line…. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did!

How the Fork and the Spoon fell in love by Urvi, aged 10

​Love ran down the road tonight, causing the clouds to turn pink. With love on the road our story may begin. One day, a beautiful spoon awoke and got ready for work but she didn’t notice the pink clouds up in the sky. However one boy, called Fork, saw these clouds but when he told his parents the pink somehow wasn’t in the clouds instead it was raining perfume.

​Anyhow Fork and Spoon came out of their house and walked to work. This is where the love bit comes in. It was love at first sight. But whenever Fork proposed and gave her an engagement ring the Spoon had always said no. 

A few months later, the Spoon tried to propose to the Fork but the Fork said that she had to chase him. 

Right after the chase, the Fork said yes and then they started getting ready for their marriage and they all lived happily ever after in their rented home.

Thank you so much Urvi for sharing your brilliant imagination and words!

March’s Your Words! Challenge: Your Words – Your Way!

Up for the next challenge? Our March’s Your Words! challenge is up to you! Your words…your way!
Open to children aged 5–11 in the UK, they can write or record a poem or story, or draw a comic strip story or poem
Written/spoken: Max 350 words
Comic Strip: Max 4 panels

It must be imaginative, original, your own words/pictures
Prompts to help (but all completely optional!):
Something weird happening at school/football/gym club
Your art turns to life
A mini made up autobiography or biography of someone you know

One Star Kids’ Storyworld Storyteller will be chosen to receive a £10 National Book Tokens voucher!

Ready to share your story? We can’t wait to read your entries and see how you interpret the theme!

Send your entries to: kidsstoryworld.abc@gmail.com
Deadline: Sunday, March 2nd 2026 (UK)

Terms & Conditions:

  • Only children aged 5–11 living in the UK can enter.
  • Entries must be submitted with parent/guardian permission.
  • The voucher is not redeemable for cash.
  • The Kids’ Storyworld decision is final.

As always stay tuned!

…Next week we’re featuring the Illustrator mum Shetal and family in Battle of the Books!