Sara’s Story Store

16/03/2026

Usborne have never discounted their Starter Kit before!!

But for thid week only, they’re offering 10% off for new Independent Usborne Partners.

If you love children’s books, enjoy the idea of working with schools and families, or are curious about flexible work built around books and literacy, this could be the moment to explore it.

I’ve put together lots of information about what it’s really like to be an Usborne Partner, how it works, and the different ways people choose to run their businesses.

Have a look through my website to see if it might be a good fit for you.

If you’d like to join while the offer is running, send me a message and I’ll share the code.

03/03/2026

It’s World Book Day week, and I’m supporting lots of schools to run the Ready Steady Read challenge.

Ready Steady Read is a sponsored reading challenge that helps schools raise money for brand new books while creating a real buzz around reading for pleasure. Pupils read as much as they can, gather sponsorship from friends and family, and celebrate their progress together.
This year, I’ve partnered with Superkind to handle all sponsorship donations, making it simple and secure for schools and families.

And do you know what I’m loving most?
The messages.

Because when someone sponsors a child to read, they do not just donate. They leave words of encouragement.

Parents. Grandparents. Aunties. Family friends.

These are the very people sponsoring the challenge.

They are championing reading. And that is the magic.

When children see that the adults around them value their reading, it changes how they see it too. Reading becomes something celebrated, noticed and encouraged both at home and at school.

This is how we build reading for pleasure.

Not by simply telling children it matters, but by showing them it matters.

Swipe to read some of the beautiful encouragement pupils have received this week. It says more than any fundraising total ever could.

If you’re looking for ways to raise funds for books while strengthening home–school engagement, I would love to support your school.This service is completely free. So do get in touch. I support schools all across the UK.

02/03/2026

This week is World Book Week, and I’m so excited to be supporting so many schools taking part in Usborne’s Ready Steady Read challenge once again.

Across the United Kingdom, pupils are tracking their reading, discovering new stories, and being sponsored to read as much as they can throughout the week.

Even the youngest learners are getting involved, with nurseries running Ready Steady Listen, helping to build a love of books right from the start.

One of the things I love most about this challenge is how simple and impactful it is. Schools can raise money for brand new books without relying on already stretched budgets, with online donations matched by up to 60% through Usborne Publishing.

It’s such a fun and engaging way to bring reading to the centre of school life, especially during the National Year of Reading.

Good luck to every pupil taking part this week. Keep reading and enjoy the challenge!

If your school would like to run a Ready Steady Read challenge in the summer term, you can explore more on my website or send me a DM and I’ll happily share the sign-up form and details.

22/02/2026

Better late than never to share some new book joy! Usborne has dropped some seriously exciting February titles, and I’ve got to tell you about a couple of my faves.

First up, the incredible 24 Hours with the Vikings! This newest addition to the 24 Hours series is a total game-changer for reluctant readers. It’s a brilliant blend of fiction and non-fiction, presented in a super engaging comic book format – perfect for diving into history.

And speaking of super cute, say hello to There There Little Lamb! This book, with its fluffy patches, is ideal for toddlers, teaching empathy as they help soothe the little lamb’s bumps and scrapes. It’s also just right for the season, with Easter hopping closer, and Usborne has even more fantastic Easter titles to discover this month! Happy reading!

18/02/2026

Have you heard the news? Usborne Publishing a brand new Instagram broadcast channel specifically for teachers! Send me a message for details or simply head on over to

09/02/2026

It’s the start of Children’s Mental Health Week, and what better way to celebrate than by nurturing our little ones’ minds? 🧠💕📚

I’m excited to share these 5 gentle ways to talk to children about mental health, courtesy of Usborne Publishing!

Check out the images for ideas on communicating with children on this crucial topic, and don’t forget that Usborne has a fantastic range of books on mental health. In fact, many are 10% off right now and serve as great conversation starters!

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04/02/2026

National Storytelling Week: Beyond the “Once Upon a Time”

For those of us dedicated to children’s literacy, National Storytelling Week serves as a far more serious reminder. It is a reminder that a book is not just a collection of pages - it is a blueprint for a child’s future.

When we see a child opening a book, we aren’t just seeing “quiet time.” We are witnessing the planting of seeds for long-term growth and the literal opening of doors to social mobility.

The data confirms the stakes are high. According to the National Literacy Trust (2023), children who enjoy reading are three times more likely to have high levels of mental wellbeing than those who do not, and research consistently shows that reading for pleasure is a more important indicator of a child’s future success than their family’s socio-economic background. It is the ultimate tool for unlocking potential.

I have always maintained a firm belief: There is no such thing as a reluctant reader.

There are only children who haven’t yet found the specific “hook” that speaks to their curiosity. Whether it’s a deep dive into how the world works, a gripping narrative, or a visual journey into the future, the right book acts as a catalyst. It changes the trajectory of a child’s life, taking them from decoding words to envisioning their own graduation.

My mission is to help educators and parents move past the “reluctant” label. By auditing our approach and diversifying the “hooks” we offer, we don’t just teach a child to read—we hand them the key to their own future.

Let’s use this week to stop looking for readers, and start finding the books that create them.

26/01/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DCoHEZEL8/?mibextid=wwXIfr

FREE teaching resources available to download on my website for each of my books. Perfect for starters, one-off lessons & a deeper dive into the books’ characters & themes. All include the opening chapter with guided reading prompts and Book Club discussion questions. The one for Girl (in Real Life) is a full Scheme of Work 💗👌 Fab for English & Library lessons as well as PSHE 📚 I hope they are useful for teachers, librarians & home educators in getting your students excited and engaged with books✨🫶 Happy National Year of Reading 🥰 https://www.tamsinwinter.com/schools

25/01/2026

Last week I attended the Usborne All Partner Event, and looking back now, I’m filled with pride and gratitude.

Staying at a fancy hotel, getting dressed up for dinner, beautiful food, and being fully immersed in Usborne for a few days felt a long way from how this business first began for me. What started as something I built from home has grown into opportunities and experiences I never would have imagined at the beginning.

One of the most special moments was being called up to the front, shaking hands and being congratulated by managing director Nicola Usborne herself. Standing there, receiving my awards, I could not help but think back to the same event last year. I remember sitting in the audience, watching others collect their awards, and quietly deciding that next year, I wanted to be up there too.

This year, I placed 4th overall on the leaderboard, putting me in the top 15 partners nationwide and earning an incredible trip to Vietnam. I also placed in the Top 10 New Leaders and Top 10 Schools Partners categories. It felt incredibly affirming to see a year of focused work reflected back in that way.

What really makes these events special, though, is the people. Being part of Usborne Community Partnerships means you are never doing this alone. Being together in person with friends I have made through Usborne, sharing ideas, laughing over dinner, celebrating each other’s wins, and feeling part of a genuinely supportive team adds a whole other layer to the experience.

I came home inspired, grateful, and with a renewed sense of what is possible when you commit to something and allow yourself to grow with it.

A year ago, I set myself a goal while sitting in the audience. This year, I achieved it. And now I’m so excited to accomplish even more in 2026!

“If you can dream it, you can do it!” - Walt Disney

22/01/2026

If you want to make a real difference for children and help them start school confident with books, I’d love to hear from you. Whether it’s a one-off project, fundraising support, becoming an ambassador, or joining my team, there are many ways to get involved and create a lasting impact.

Nearly a third of children are now starting school unable to use books correctly, with teachers reporting that some try to swipe pages as if they were using a phone or tablet. This comes from a recent Kindred Squared survey of around 1,000 primary school staff in England, based on their observations of school readiness in Reception classes. These figures highlight how crucial early experiences with books are and why building children’s confidence with reading before they start school matters so much.

18/01/2026

New year, BIG book value 📚✨

The January Usborne Bumper Kit Offer is back and it’s one of the best deals of the year. Get around £200 worth of amazing Usborne books for just £48!

That’s a huge selection of beautiful, engaging books for babies, toddlers and older children, perfect for boosting reading time, building a home library or getting ahead on gifts for the year.

Limited time offer, limited stock, and once it’s gone, it’s gone. January is the perfect time to invest in books that will be loved all year long