The Story Behind the Story That's Changing Children's Lives
It Started With One Friday Night Question
"Shall we make up a story where you're the hero?"
I asked my 10-year-old son Gabriel this question one Friday evening over FaceTime whilst sat at kitchen. Neither of us knew that simple conversation would become The Adventures of Gabriel, a book series now helping thousands of children across the rediscover their love of storytelling.
Today, Gabriel's story is featured in BBC News, taught in classrooms, and has sparked what educators are calling a "literacy revolution."
But it began with just a mother, a son on Friday nights.
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The Magic on Friday Evenings
Gabriel didn't write his story down, he spoke it aloud.
While he dreamed up sea monsters, phoenix quests, and a platypus sidekick named Platy, I furiously took notes as his imagination poured out.
It was messy. It was alive.
For 8 weeks, our Friday nights focused on became Coral Cove. Gabriel was the hero, I was the scribe, and together we created something neither of us could have imagined alone.
When we shared the finished story with a former teacher and a child psychologist, they both said the same thing:
"Get this out there. Other children desperately need this."
What Happened Next Surprised Everyone
We thought we'd written one book.
Instead, we'd accidentally created a formula that unlocks every child's natural storytelling ability.
The results speak for themselves:
- 212 children across 7 schools experienced StoryQuest™ with 100% positive engagement
- Children of all abilities thrived, including those with special educational needs
- "I want to be an author one day" - aspirations soared after just one session
- Featured in BBC News, Yorkshire Post, and Yahoo News
- Now inspiring families and schools as a storytelling method
"I didn't know I had so many stories inside me until I was allowed to let them out." – Child participant, Bradford school
The Science Behind the Magic
What we discovered, neuroscience proves:
Children find confidence through character. When they see themselves as the hero of their own story, everything changes. They speak their ideas first, then write them down. This simple shift transforms reluctant writers into eager storytellers.
We call it StoryQuest™ – and it works every single time.
In classroom trials:
- Children who "hate writing" complete full stories
- Shy students volunteer to share their work
- Teachers report deeper engagement than any previous literacy program
This Isn't Just Our Story – It's About Your Child
Every child has a story waiting inside them.
Most just need permission to tell it.
The Adventures of Gabriel gives them that permission. Through Gabriel's courage, children find their own. Through his adventures, they discover their voice. Through his friendship with Platy, they learn that the best stories come from being authentically themselves.
Because when children are free to imagine, they find their voice. And once they find it, they never forget it.
Meet the Authors
Gabriel Khan, Age 11
The original storyteller who dreamed up Coral Cove, Platy the platypus, and adventures that now inspire children worldwide. Gabriel loves swimming, creating board games, and coming up with new challenges for his fictional self to overcome.
Kate Markland
Former Physiotherapist turned accidental children's author. After watching Gabriel's confidence soar through storytelling, Kate dedicated herself to helping other children find their voices. She now presents StoryQuest™ at conferences and intends to publish research on storytelling as a tool for building children's resilience.
The Movement Continues
What started as one story has become thousands.
Children across the UK are now writing their own adventures, finding their voices, and discovering that they have important stories to tell.
From Bradford to Gloucester, from shy whispers to confident voices, every child's story matters.
The adventure that began in our kitchen continues in classrooms, living rooms, and wherever children dare to dream up stories where they're the hero.
Ready to Start Your Child's Story?
Don't let another day pass where your child's brilliant voice goes unheard.
The adventure begins with a simple question:
"Shall we make up a story where you're the hero?"
Because every child deserves to be the hero of their own story.
The book reinforces beautiful values such as self-belief and trust. It inspires children to be resilient, and not give up, and that goals can be achieved with perseverance.”
____ A Mum
I read this book with my eight-year-old daughter. We both loved Gabriel and Platys adventures which were fun and exciting. The underlying message from each story shone through with clarity.
____ A Mum
To Gabriel, thank you. Your book filled my mind with imagination.
__Ava, aged 9
A really uplifting book with fun, fantastic adventures and beautiful illustrations.
____ A Mum
Having been a counsellor and psychotherapist working with children as well as adults for many years, I know that the most significant story is the one we tell ourselves and the agency we feel over writing our own future.
_ Cat Williams
I love the pictures and the story is fantastic.
__Emma, aged 7
Children will love interacting with the stories and can use them as a springboard for their own adventures. Teachers will have in their hands a powerful teaching resource that they can use in so many ways. More importantly, anything that encourages a love of writing needs to be cherished. As a plus, there is a colouring book to further encourage your child's creativity.
____ Educationist
Who would step off the page if you were free to write your own next chapters and to dream?
____ Cat Williams
I have in my hands this beautiful book created by a 10 year old, a mum and a granddad. I have spent my life working in education. These stories are the result of a much deeper relationship between mum and son. Together they have found a novel way to write about love, feelings, resilience and hardship, always believing in the power to overcome adversity, no matter what.
____ Educationist
My granddaughter loved the book at first sight. I wonder what they will want to do in their own "adventures."
We will ask them when we next meet up. Well done!
__A Grandad
Gabriel and Kate perfectly illustrate the power of storytelling to “step off the page” and into your own imaginative world where healing and empowerment can be found, in-spite of, or even because of, your every day circumstances.
____ Cat Williams
Working with Kate was an absolute pleasure. The workshop was incredibly child-friendly. Initially, we were unsure how the children would respond to a ‘less structured’ writing approach, but the experience proved to be motivating, encouraging autonomy and creativity.
The session was well-planned and organised. It encouraged them to think and write like real authors, valuing their own stories as well as each other’s.
We would absolutely recommend this workshop. Thank you again for such a wonderful experience!
__A Head of English