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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!

📖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! ✨