Thanks for reading Kids’ Storyworld’s first post!

In Your Words! this week, we’re celebrating our January New Beginnings winners, sharing a top storytelling tip from author Karl Newson, and giving you all the details for February’s exciting challenge. So keep reading to get inspired and take part!

While the rest of the blog is about encouraging reading for pleasure together, each month, Your Words! will celebrate children’s stories and their wonderful imagination.

Children can write or tell their story aloud. ✒️💬
The goal is simple… to enjoy storytelling, spark ideas, and champion their creativity.

Our first Your Words! challenge got off to a mega flying start. The theme was New Beginnings, and children were invited to get creative by sending in a poem or short story of 100 words or less.

And for the record the entrants did a cracking job! Each entry was different, full of personality and truly blew me away.

📚🤓Click here to read Jan’s brilliant entries!

✨Star Storyteller!✨ Peony (6) – In Your Dreams A moving poem with vivid imagery and a reflective take on new dreams.

Ella (8) – Mia’s First Day of School A happy story capturing the excitement and overcoming nerves of a first day at school.

Chloe (8) – That Dream Celebrating simple joys and fresh starts, this beautiful poem looks forward with curiosity and wonder.

Maya (11) – New Dawn A stunning, thoughtful poem about fresh starts and discovering new possibilities.

It was tough deciding but Star Storyteller goes to Peony (6). Her poem really resonated and I could feel the warmth of the sun as I was reading it!

We originally planned to award three book vouchers, but after reading all the entries, we’re sure you’ll agree that every child deserved one. In the end, all four received a £10 National Book Token.

📝Author’s Top Tip!

Karl Newson, author of I Am a Tiger, Just Be You! and I Really Really Need A Wee! knows a thing or two (or a hundred!) about storytelling. Thank you Karl for this month’s top storytelling tip!

“Look for ideas where you usually don’t. 👀
Perhaps you’ll see a dragon cloud 🐉 soaring in the sky, or a little bug 🐞 who seems to be in a hurry, or a squirrel 🐿️ bounding off to work in a nearby tree.

Once you’ve found an idea, listen to it! What is it saying? Is it quiet or loud, fast or slow, funny or sad, perfect for school or better for bedtimes?

Now you are ready to write it down. ✍️
Don’t worry about the End just yet. You’ll know it is the end when your idea has said all it wanted to say… perhaps that dragon cloud has disappeared back into the sky? 🐉☁️
Perhaps that little bug got where it was going? 🐞
Perhaps that squirrel went back home after work and ate a big nut for dinner? 🌰

The most important thing to do is have fun making it. Make it yours! 📖⭐”

Thanks Karl! These are great ways for children to unlock ideas and bring their stories or poems to life.

February Your Words! Challenge: “Love”❤️

Up for the next challenge? Our February Your Words! challenge is all about Love! Open to children aged 5–11 in the UK, they can write or record a story or poem between 100 and 250 words — it’s completely up to them how they share it.

Here’s the fun twist: the first word must start with “L” and the last word must finish with “E”. 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, February 1st 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.

Thanks for reading our first feature and stay tuned!

…Next week we’re featuring the Herrett family in Battle of the Books! Jess and Lilly take on their mum, Sarah! 📖✨