Book Nook for Kids

03/06/2026

I cooked up a business that fits around my family.

I cooked up extra income.

I cooked up friendships, confidence, and opportunities I never expected.

I cooked up a life with more flexibility and fewer compromises.

Turns out the recipe was books, community, and a business that works around real life. 📚❤️

What have you been cooking up lately?

02/06/2026

✨ Looking for a meaningful preschool leavers’ gift? 📚

As a former teacher and children’s bookseller, one of my favourite things is helping children start their next chapter with books they’ll love.

Books make such special “starting school” gifts - a lovely keepsake that can help children feel excited, reassured and ready for their big adventure.

I can help nurseries, preschools and settings create affordable book bundles to suit different budgets, with options including:

📖 Starting school stories
🎨 Activity books
💛 Confidence-building reads
🌟 Books tailored to your children and setting

If you’re a nursery or preschool thinking about end of term or starting school gifts, I’d be delighted to help!

Please pop me a message or tag a setting who might be interested ❤️

01/06/2026

“My child hates reading…” 📚💭

I’ve just been reading this brilliant article from The Reading Agency about building a nation of readers, and one idea really stood out to me.

Sometimes it’s not about getting children to read more.

It’s about helping them find the book that makes them actually want to read.

Because not every child connects with traditional stories straight away.

For some children, the “hook” might be:

⚽ Football
🐉 Dragons, mythology or survival stories
🎨 Drawing, crafts or activity books
🦖 Facts, animals, science or special interests
😂 Humour, jokes or graphic style books

And honestly? That’s completely OK.

One thing that really helped a family I know was moving away from “Choose anything from the website!”

Instead, we chatted about what the children were into, and I hand picked 10 books based on their interests.

The children then chose 3 each from that smaller selection.

They still had choice and ownership… just without the overwhelm.

Because sometimes a huge choice of books can feel exciting.

And sometimes it can feel impossible.

If your child struggles to find books they enjoy, tell me what they’re into right now. Football? Animals? Gaming? Crafts? Space? Weird facts? Strong feelings? Unicorns? 😄

I’d love to suggest a few ideas to help you find their next “this is MY book” moment 💛

(And if you’d like to read the article that inspired this post, it’s here: https://readingagency.org.uk/beyond-the-reading-crisis-what-the-evidence-tells-us-about-building-a-nation-of-readers/)

How do we solve the reading crisis? We explore how to build a nation of readers, bringing together research and best practice from the classroom and community approaches to reading engagement.

27/05/2026

I wish someone had told me about this 13 years ago.

When I was looking for a way to bring a little extra into our home around the kids, I had never heard of running a children’s book business with Usborne. Looking back now, I honestly wish I’d found it years earlier - probably when I was on maternity leave with my first baby 13 years ago.

Instead, I stayed in the classroom much longer than I really wanted to because I couldn’t see another option that felt flexible, rewarding and realistic around family life.

What I love most is that this works around real life. Some days I’ll do half an hour before the kids wake up, maybe a little in the afternoon, or spend time delivering books to local nurseries. Other days I’m chatting with and supporting the lovely people in my team as they grow their own businesses too.

It’s flexible, genuinely fulfilling, and the reward really comes from the consistency of small actions over time.

If you’re looking for something that fits around family life and feels genuinely rewarding too, feel free to message me.

No pressure at all - just happy to share what it’s been like for me and see whether it could suit you 🤍

26/05/2026

🎒✨ Starting school soon? I’ve got something that might help…

Starting school is a big step - exciting, emotional, and sometimes a little overwhelming for children and parents!

To make those first days feel a little gentler (and a bit more fun!), I can send you a lovely Starting School Activity Pack packed with simple activities to help little ones build confidence, chat about school, and get excited about their new adventure 📚✏️

Perfect for children starting Reception or school for the first time.

Pop a “SCHOOL” below or send me a message and I’ll send it over 💛

22/05/2026

Why do so many children seem to fall out of love with reading when they reach KS3?

Children who happily devoured books in primary school can suddenly become reluctant readers in secondary school.

Often, it’s not because they can’t read.

It’s because life changes.

📱 More screens
👥 More peer pressure
📚 Less choice
⏰ Busier schedules and growing pressures

The good news? Small things can make a real difference.

Giving young people more choice (including non-fiction!), making reading social, lowering the pressure and simply creating opportunities to discover books they genuinely enjoy.

It’s one of the reasons I love supporting schools through book fairs, sponsored reads, author events and bringing fresh, engaging books into school communities.

Sometimes, all it takes is the right book at the right moment.

Teachers, parents, librarians - have you noticed a reading drop-off in KS3?

What have you found helps?