Book review

🎤✨Our Story!

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WOW. What a first month it’s been!

I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again… thanks to everyone who’s cheered me on and jumped in along the way.

Special love to Sarah Herrett from Grow UK🔗 , one of my nearest and dearest, who took part in our Battle of the Books feature with her brilliant daughters, Lily and Jess.

Huge thanks as well to Rob Biddulph for being our pilot Storyteller of the Month! (Do check out his latest book, The Last Wolf: Moonhaven Mysteries Book 1, out 5th Feb.. I can’t wait!).

And to Karl Newson (author of brilliant books: I Am A Tiger! , I’m Going To Eat a Polar Bear and The Great Nut Hunt ), not only for his storytelling tips this month, but for his understated kindness and guidance ever since I started on my OG blogging and writing journey six years ago.

And not forgetting our AMAZING young writers: Poppy, Maya, Ella and Chloe, who kindly shared their work in January’s Your Words! (February entries are open HERE🔗— hurry, deadline 1st Feb!)

Extra gratitude for the brilliant advice along the way, with big shoutouts to Greek Myths, Folktales & Legends author Vicki Psarias-Broadbent and Shrew With the Flu author Will Hamilton-Davies for being voices of reason and for their very helpfully honest feedback.

And somehow… we hit ONE THOUSAND followers on Instagram (@kidsstoryworld) . How the heck did that even happen?!

Thank you to those who stayed for the new version of the blog, and hello (and thank you!) to all the newcomers I’m so glad you’re here 💛

At the heart of this is a simple belief… STORIES SHOULD AND MUST BE ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE! There are so many extraordinary authors, illustrators, and poets creating children’s books today, yet it can sometimes feel daunting for families to discover them beyond the familiar favourites. I want to help bridge that gap by making real readers — children and families — the stars of this space, alongside the wonderful authors, illustrators, and poets who create the stories we love. We began with Your Words!, inviting children to share their own writing, then Battle of the Books, bringing families into the conversation. Now, I’m thrilled to introduce Kid’s Storyworld’s very first Our Story with the Oyediwura family. This blog exists to celebrate children’s voices, joyful reading, and the magic that happens when stories are shared together.

For our family Q&A, we asked Charisse, her son Robert Junior, and her daughter Robyn a few questions. They chat about the books they love, the ones that spark their imaginations, and the stories that particularly inspire Charisse. Together they give us a wonderful glimpse into the family’s own reading world. From stories that spark memories to those that inspire new adventures and make them giggle!

Outside of family reading time, Charisse is CEO of Black Lives in Music, an organisation dedicated to supporting Black musicians and promoting their work across the UK. In her role, she leads initiatives that highlight the achievements of Black artists, provide opportunities for emerging talent, and raise awareness of the challenges faced by musicians from underrepresented backgrounds. Her work with the organisation demonstrates a commitment to creating platforms where diverse voices are celebrated and heard.

Robert Junior’s current read by 13 year old author Rico Hinson-King and illustrated by Nick Sharratt published by Bloomsbury

What’s your favourite book right now and why?
Robyn: I like to read the Lion King. I read it every night, I read the theatre programme to learn about the actors. My favourite actress Noelle plays young nala in the West End and I want to play young Nala one day.
RJ: Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I love all the books they are hilarious!..And Football is for Everyone by Rico Hinson King! (Rico was only 13 when he wrote the book, illustrated by the much loved Nick Sharratt. Read Rico’s Bloomsbury interview HERE🔗 )

And Charisse, Which book or story do you think shaped your imagination the most when you were a child? When I was a child I would love to read anything by Hans Christian Andersen. I loved the Emperor’s New Clothes, The Princess and the Pea and the Ugly Duckling. I could really see myself in some of the characters in his stories.

Another question for the children! Your favourite book character is in town. Who is it and where would you take them for the day?
RJ: I would take Greg from Diary of A Wimpy Kid and take him to a restaurant
Charisse: Oh that’s nice and what type of food?
RJ: Italian…because I like Pasta and he might like pizza!
Robyn: I would take CatchTeenie Ping! (TV character but there’s a book too!) I would take him to the park. I would play with him because he’s small. Then play MarioKart and Minecraft after.

Charisse You get to be the manager of a band with 1 musician of your choice and 2 children’s book or story characters. Who are they, what genre music and what would you call the band? This is funny!
My daughter Robyn and I LOVE Disney movies, and they (and Michael Jackson) were definitely the soundtrack to my childhood.
So I would choose Michael Jackson, with Elsa from Frozen and Jiminy Cricket from Pinocchio as back-up. Weird, right?
I would call them TMB, which stands for “Take Me Back”. Growing up in the ’90s, all of the band names were abbreviations. Or Conscience, which is a homage to Pinocchio: “Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide.”

Robert Junior and Robyn, what’s your favourite memory of reading with your grown-up?
Robyn: My favourite memory of reading with a grown up is funny books! The funniest thing I’ve heard in a book was in Mrs Giggles (Little Miss Giggles)
RJ: My favourite memory of reading with a grown up is we get to chit-chat! We get to have fun together by talking about how to pronounce the words.

Which story best captures something special about your family?
RJ: Yes when we go on a holiday
Robyn: Yes! On a plane!!
Charisse: What Story is that?
RJ: Mr Men … Mr Rush
Charisse: So when I think about our family I think about books like Peppa Pig with Daddy Pig and Mummy Pig and they all go on a plane to Italy and eat things like pasta. Do you remember that book?
Rj: Yes!!

Charisse, In your work with Black Lives in Music, have you come across books or stories that have inspired music, whether for you personally or the artists and communities you support?
There’s a true story about Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. He was a brilliant violinist and he was Black. He shows children that classical music is for everyone. He was born a long time ago, when many people believed that a Black child could not belong in grand concert halls or play music for important audiences. But Joseph loved music, especially the violin, and he practised every day.
Because of his talent and hard work,he became one of the most famous musicians in France. People travelled far and wide to hear him play, and even kings and queens applauded him. His story teaches children that being Black, or coming from a different background, should never stop anyone from following their dreams. If you love music and keep believing in yourself, just like Joseph did, you belong on the stage too.
This feeds directly into the work we do at Black Lives in Music that classical music, all music is for everyone.

To find out more about Black Lives in Music or to get involved visit: https://blim.org.uk/

One thing you’ll notice right away in this interview? Music is clearly a HUGE part of the Oyediwura family’s story 🎶✨
So of course, here are a few kidlit reads inspired by that musical magic.

LOVE The Story Orchestra series published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books. My youngst son loves music The books play music and sound INCREDIBLE! Have given as gifts too.
Florence Beatrice Price was and American classical composer and musician who made history as the first African-American woman to have a symphonic composition performed by a major orchestra. Written and Illustrated by the Students of the Special Music School at the Kaufman Music Center, NY
Fantastic series by Jeffrey Boakye, illustrated by Beth Suzanna and published by Faber & Faber. I was lucky enough to see Jeffrey in action at the Barnes Children’s Literature Festival, London Schools’ Programme and what an event it was! The book focuses on an ordinary boy with a passion for music, a best friend with a photographic memory and a genius money making scheme…. BRILLIANT!
I ADORE Sophy Henn’s work and this is no different. Popular at story times and so so much fun, this picture book is thought provoking, energetic and encourages us all to march to the beat of our own drum. Great for exploring feelings…some days we can’t find the rhythm, other days the music comes together. (Think something us parents can relate to not just the kids!) Published by Simon and Schuster….side note… check out Sophy’s Super Duper You! Another favourite I highly recommend.
Aoife Dooley’s graphic novel aimed at 9+ years. Frankie is navigating her way through secondary school but how do you find your voice when everyone around you is telling you to be quiet? She has the chance to compete in Battle of The Bands….but needs to find band members. and to have band members you need to be good at making friends! A story about speaking up and standing out even when the going gets tough! published by Scholastic.

ONE FOR THE ADULTS! It’s the National Year of Reading 2026 which is a campaign to get EVERYBODY reading. So I’ll be sharing and adult read along side children’s. Thrilling, informative, eye opening, thought provoking this incredible book redefines British history and talks about how ground breaking musicians like Lord Kitchner, Nenah Cherry and Stormzy have changed the world. Musical Truth is authored by Jeffrey Boakye (Kofi author!) and illustrated by Ngadi Smart. Also available on audible Published by Faber & Faber.

📖Storyteller!

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Welcome to our first Storyteller! feature. And first things first.
A HUGE THANK YOU! to everyone for the kind support and encouragement as I begin this new(ish!) chapter of my KidLit journey. There’s been a lot of learning and lots of fun even in these few short weeks (though January feels like it’s been 3000 days already… does anyone else feel that??!) One of the many highlights so far, has been reading January’s INCREDIBLE challenge entries and I CAN’T WAIT to see what February’s challenge brings (not so subtle hint…have a nosy HERE🔗 for entry details. 1st Feb deadline is fast approaching!).
At it’s heart, this space is about celebrating stories and reading in all their forms in a fun, interactive and inclusive way. Because I truly, deeply and passionately believe stories belong to EVERYONE and if by some luck this space helps even one person connect more with KidLit, it means the world to me.

And now onto the less mushy stuff…

Jess and Lily fought a brave battle but…

First up: Last week’s Battle of the Books Zog Vs Diary of a Wimpy Kid results…. DRUM ROLL PLEASE…..
WINNER: Mum Sarah with Zog by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler (it was close!)

Mum, Sarah earned the gloating rights!

Big thanks to everyone who voted! It was so close but Mum Sarah just snuck ahead by just FOUR votes! Jess and Lily were right on her heels… Both brilliant choices!*

*side note…I think the girls definitely earn a week of being waited on hand and foot and being fed peeled grapes with as much ice-cream as they like, as a very well deserved consolation prize.**
** Just kidding Sarah… TWO WEEKS!

You can read the full Battle HERE .
Who would YOU have picked and why? Pop a comment below and tell us!

But now from Battle of The Book victory to a very special guest.
I’ve been BURSTING to reveal this but somehow managed to keep it under wraps! So ANOTHER DRUMROLL PLEASE…
Our Mystery Guest is none other than the BRILLIANT…

Rob Biddulph! HERE for Rob’s Website! 🔗

This week’s Star Reader Question comes from fan and young artist Erin age 11 – thank you for your contribution!

I’ll try and keep the intro short and sweet but so much to say! Not only does Rob Biddulph write and illustrate fabulous books like Peanut Jones, Odd Dog Out, I Follow The Fox and his soon to be published The Last Wolf (The Moonhaven Chronicles out FEB 5th 2026!) but did you know that (and this one’s for the parents!) he was the art director of Just Seventeen. A magazine that must have been a staple in every teen girl’s reading material!

Photo Credit and link to fab article:
Substack Just Seventeen Forever! – All Grown Up by Fiona Gibson 🔗


On a personal note, I need to say thank you to Rob for keeping us parents sane(ish) during lockdown with Draw With Rob🔗. Our family loved joining in for the Guiness World Record for the Largest Online Drawing Lesson (photo attached!). It was one of our more favourite memories of what seems now such a surreal time!

One of the better lockdown memories…

I’ve also seen Rob live a couple of times at Barnes Children’s Literature Festival (more on that later in the year!) and their London School’s Programme🔗. Last year, he gave a workshop to over 500 adults and primary school pupils. When he performed I Follow the Fox, there was not a dry eye in the house. I keep saying it but if THAT SONG ever streams online I’ll be downloading it before you’ve finished saying the word FOX! Anyway. I’ve waffled enough…

💬On to the exclusive interview!

Welcome Rob! Did you have a favourite reading spot or story-time ritual when you were little?
Well, I was a real bedtime-story kid. I loved climbing into bed, all cosy and wrapped up in my duvet, and disappearing into a story with my mum or my dad just before falling asleep. It felt like a little daily adventure. The perfect way to end the day and send my imagination wandering. 

What kind of things did you enjoy drawing as a child?Pretty much everything! I was one of those children who always had a pencil in his hand. I’d draw animals, people, imaginary creatures, whole little worlds – if I could see it (or imagine it), I’d try to draw it. I loved drawing from life, too, so I’d sketch whatever I found lying around the house: fruit, toys, trainers… anything really. Drawing from life is brilliant for learning about shading. I’ve always enjoyed looking really closely at an object to see how the light hits it and how that reveals its form. I also spent a huge amount of time writing and illustrating my own comics. I had one called YAHOO! that I made on a regular basis. It was packed with characters, puzzle pages, all sorts of bits and pieces. My dad used to photocopy it for me and I’d hand it out to my friends at school. So I suppose I was using illustration to tell stories right from the very beginning.

Which of your favourite childhood stories or books have you shared with your own children?
Ooh, I have shared quite a few of the classics I enjoyed growing up: all of Richard Scarry’s books, Dogger by Shirley Hughes, The Tiger Who Came to Tea obviously, the Mr Men books and loads more. And I’ve passed on my all-time favourite children’s text How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr Seuss too. That one really planted the seed for me becoming a picture-book writer as well as an illustrator.

Some of the grown-ups here might remember Just 17 magazine where you were actually the Art Director! (I definitely do!)
What was your favourite part of that job and did it shape how you illustrate today?
Just 17 was brilliant fun. First and foremost, I loved the creative buzz – designing pages, working with brilliant editors, writers and photographers, coming up with photoshoot ideas for people likeKylie Minogue and the Spice Girls, going on those photoshoots, doing a bit of modelling, and trying to catch the reader’s eye and draw them in with every spread I designed. It taught me loads about storytelling through layout, colour, pacing and composition. Skills that are definitely useful in my book work now. Those years in magazines were like a masterclass in visual communication.

Lockdown now seems like an alternate universe! But one of the activities that kept many children (and their grown-ups!) entertained was your #drawwithrob videos. Our family has such special memories from taking part in the world record.
What did you learn, or what memories stick with you from those sessions?
Well, I’m still making new videos now, but those sessions during the lockdowns were incredibly special. What stays with me most is the sense of community. Families from all over the world were, through my videos, drawing together at a really difficult time. I loved hearing how kids would draw with their grandparents who they couldn’t see in real life over Zoom. Plus, seeing children’s artwork flood in on my social feeds every day was genuinely heart-lifting. I still get sent pictures from parents and kids every single day of my life, and I love it! And yes, the world record event in May 2020 when we drew a whale and raised thousands for the NHS)… well, that was unforgettable! It reminded me how powerful creativity can be when we share it. I would have to say that I think Draw With Rob is the thing in my life that I am most proud of (except for my daughters).

Huge congratulations on The Last Wolf (5th Feb 2026)! The first book in your The Moonhaven Chronicles series sounds jampacked with adventure – four friends sneaking out every full moon, a werewolf attack and lots of secrets. What inspired this story, and how did you balance a spooky setting with warmth and humour?Thank you! Well, I suppose The Last Wolf initially grew out of what we all experienced during the pandemic – lockdown. I found myself thinking about what would happen if werewolves really existed. I concluded that no one would be allowed outside on a full moon in case they transformed, so once a month the world would be completely deserted. I kept thinking of that scene in 28 Days Later where Cillian Murphy walks through an empty London. And then I thought: how fun would it be to have the whole planet to yourself on those nights if you did manage to sneak out? That’s when I came up with the Moonlighters – a bunch of kids who slip out for nocturnal adventures every full moon. From there, things snowballed. I started wondering what might happen if one of the kids got caught up in a werewolf attack, and what the repercussions would be. Then I thought it would be fun if their hometown, Moonhaven, was historically a town where there had been lots of werewolf sightings – a lupine epicentre, if you like – but what if it was also a place full of secrets, where not all was as it seeemed. That’s when you start to think about the antagonists. There’d have to be a special police force, the Nighthawks, who would enforce the monthly lockdowns, and there would also have to be a main villain – coming up with London Pike’s personality and wardrobe was one of my favourite parts of the process. So, all in all, writing this book was super-fun. Throughout, I wanted there to be a sense of creeping dread, but I also wanted to create a cast of characters you’d genuinely want to hang out with. So our protagonists, Jax, Jovi, Esau, Fourth, and Purple, bring all the warmth and humour; their friendship gives the book its emotional core. Once I had them, the spooky elements naturally slotted in around them. The story is a bit dark and twisty in places, but the big, beating heart underneath keeps everything grounded, I think. It’s a LOT of fun. 

This month’s Blog theme isNew Beginnings. What exciting new adventures or projects await you in 2026?
It’s is going to be a huge year for me. I’ll be working hard on Hunter’s Moon, the second book in The Moonhaven Chronicles, plus I’ll be putting the finishing touches to my next picture book and two more Draw With Rob activity books. I also have a couple of brand new projects with HarperCollins which are really exciting, but unfortunately I’m not allowed to talk about them yet. Speaking of secrets, there are a couple of other mind-bogglingly exciting things bubbling away too, but again, I have to keep my lips sealed for now. One thing I can say for sure is that I’ll be touring just as much as always, and am looking forward to meeting lots of my readers up and down the country and around the world.  

And just for fun!
If you were stranded on a desert island could only bring one character from The Last Wolf for company, who would it be and why?
Probably Jovi. She’s clever, resourceful, and always keeps her head in a crisis.  

If you could shrink to down to live inside one of your illustrated worlds for the day, which book would you explore?
I think I’d pick Odd Dog Out. The sausage-dog world feels joyful and bright – full of colour, quirky characters, and good vibes. It would be a pretty lovely place to spend a day.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️STAR READER QUESTION FROM ERIN, AGED 11 ⭐️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What do you find impossible to draw and why? And also do you like sausage dogs as there are a few in your videos (and your book ODD DOG OUT!)?
Great question, Erin! Well, nothing’s impossible and I’d have a go at drawing anything, but I do I find bicycles surprisingly difficult to draw. All those angles and spokes and lines have to look just right, or the whole thing just feels wrong. Horses are also a bit tricksy. As for sausage dogs… I LOVE them! They’re such funny, characterful little creatures. 
Odd Dog Out is absolutely a love letter to them.

The Last Wolf (Moonhaven Chronicles 1) published by Macmillans Children’s Books
OUT: 5th Feb 2026
Thanks Rob for such an insightful Q&A!

And to the lovely readers – I hope you enjoyed the responses as much as I did!
Coming up next Friday…
Our Story! A KidLit filled Q&A with: Charisse Beaumont Chief Executive of Black Lives in Music and family



⚔️Battle of The Books!⚔️

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Welcome to our first ever Battle of the Books!
Jess and Lily from Sheffield take on their mum Sarah.
But who will win ALL THE GLORY AND GLOATING RIGHTS?
We Need YOU to decide! Vote for your favourite and help crown the ultimate champion!

Results revealed in next week’s blog…


⚔️ Grown up contender: Sarah
Current Favourite adult read: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig publisher: Canongate Books
Age: None of your beeswax! 🐝
Occupation: Awesome Mum to Jess, Lily and Charlie
Recently started as head of fundraising for Grow Uk who help 16 – 24 year olds engage in nature based activities to boost skills, confidence and horizons.
Special Skills: Multitasking wizard, expert book chooser, infectious giggler extraordinaire!

Book pick: Zog by Julia Donaldson publisher: Alison Green Books

What is Zog about?
This is a great book about a dragon who tries his best . He ends up getting it wrong regularly but meets  wonderfully helpful people along the way. I think it’s a book about ambition, friendship and trying your best, even when things are tricky or hard.
Zog always gives 100% and I love him for it!

What makes this book impossible to put down?
It’s a short book with a catchy rhythm of words. You are really rooting for Zog as he goes through school and you want him to do well. The illustrations are beautiful too. There is a follow up booked called Zog and the flying doctors which is brilliant, and all about girl power! 

You’re trapped in an escape room with one of the characters for the day. Who is it and what
qualities do they have to help you on the way to freedom?
Definitely Pearl…she is fantastic in a crisis she is knowledgeable,  calm under pressure and very determined too. She is a problem solver and seemingly always has what is needed to help. She would definitely be able to escape!

Convince the voters using only three adjectives. Why should your book win? 🏆
Fun, inspirational and beautiful!


⚔️ Kid Contenders: Jess and Lily
Parents: Mum, Sarah (their contender!) and Dad, Paul (who loves sci-fi books!)
Siblings: Big brother Charlie, who likes reading biking magazines
Current Favourite Reads: Jess and Lily are starting to explore the world of chapter books
Age: 10 (only just! Happy double digit birthday ladies!!! 🎂)
Likes: Random day trips, playing with friends and Eurocamp holidays

Book Pick: Diary of A Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney publisher: Puffin

What is the book about?
It is about a boy called Greg and what he gets up to with his family. It’s really funny.

What made you want to read this book?
We saw it at school and lots of our friends had read the first book and some of the extra books in the series, so we thought we would give it a try!

You need help from one of the characters to complete a secret mission.
What is the mission? Who do you pick to join you and why?
Our mission would be to rescue an elf and Manny would be the best character to help because he is tiny and can fit in small spaces to smuggle the elf back to the north pole! And get back home without anyone noticing him. He could give the elf a piggy back if he needed it!

If this book were an animal, what would it be and why?
Diary of A Wimpy Kid would be a zebra because the story is all over the place like the stripes on the zebra 🦓

Convince the voters using only three adjectives. Why should your book win? 🏆
Funny, interesting and weird!

So now, dear voters it’s over to YOU! 🗳️
Pick your favourite book, cast your vote in the comments, and find out next week who takes the glory! 🎉
Only your votes will decide! 👀

***VOTING HAS CLOSED***


From Book Battle to Book Snap!
While you’re deciding which book takes the crown, we’ve got some extra reading inspiration for the family! Book Snaps are fun, fast book recommendations for busy grown ups and kids!

Picture book: Tyrannosaurus Veg by Smriti Prasadam-Halls, illustrated by Katherine Manolessou
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Book Snap For: Kids who love dinosaurs, playful rhyming books, laughs… and perhaps a little encouragement to eat their veggies!

Middle Grade: Crooks and Nannies: A N.A.U.G.H.T.Y. beginning…by Chris McGuire, illustrated by Martin Baines, published by Candy Bar Books
Book Snap For: Readers who enjoy slimy silliness, mischief and giggles. Perfect for those who love Diary of A Wimpy Kid

Kids Non-Fiction: The Big Book of Nature Artby Yuval Zommer published by Thames and Hudson ltd
Book Snap For: Anyone who loves nature, wildlife and making art and crafts from what they find outside. (On a side note…speaking from personal experience it makes a gorgeous gift too!🎁)

And by popular request we’ll be including one each week for the grown ups too!
(Contender Sarah’s suggestion!)
Midnight Library by Matt Haig published by Canongate Books
Book Snap For: Adults who love “what if” adventures, reflective tales and hopeful reads that lift the spirit

Next Week…

🥳Battle of The Books results reveal and our first Storyteller! feature with a very popular author/illustrator.
But can you work out who they are with these 3 clues? 🧐
⚽ This author/illustrator could have been a semi-pro footballer at 18! But the world of art won instead.
🐶 They have a dog called Ringo
👑 And they once showed a REAL QUEEN how to draw her crown!

⏰Plus a reminder: February’s You Words! Story Challenge deadline is coming up soon. Details and how to enter are HERE.
We can’t wait to see what you create! ✨