How My Son and I Put the Joy Back Into Literacy With StoryQuest

What began as a simple storytelling routine between my son and me has blossomed into something far bigger than either of us imagined. I’m thrilled to share the journey that my 11-year-old son Gabriel and I have been on, one that’s now helping children across the UK rediscover the joy of storytelling and writing.

It all started during our everyday chats, when Gabriel would enthusiastically narrate stories aloud and I would jot them down. From Sea Monsters to Phoenix's, his imagination had no bounds. I became, in his words, his "ghost writer", taking down every word, reading it back, and helping him shape his wild, wonderful ideas into what eventually became The Adventures of Gabriel.

As I typed up the final draft, Gabriel looked at the screen, beamed, and said, “It’s a book. Mummy, it’s a real book.”

That moment was magic, and it marked the birth of what we later named StoryQuest.

What Is StoryQuest?

StoryQuest is a therapeutic storytelling method. A child shares a story aloud,  usually centred around a hero, and someone else listens, writes it down, and helps develop it into a complete narrative. It's not just about writing; it's about expressing, dreaming, and creating together.

Since trademarking the method, we’ve begun leading workshops and sessions with schools and learning groups across the country. Watching children light up as they narrate their stories has been the most rewarding part of this entire journey.

Bringing Joy to the Classroom

Thomas Hirst, a teacher at Dixon Manningham Primary School in Bradford, has seen firsthand the transformation StoryQuest can inspire in children. Speaking to the BBC, he said:

“A lot of boys and girls have a fear of the blank page... you can do all of the teaching, but they sort of shut down when asked to write a story.”

With StoryQuest, the fear disappears.

“It was a really lovely experience to see them really joyful, talking about their stories – they loved it,” Mr Hirst shared. He’s now made StoryQuest a regular part of his Year Six curriculum.

Empowering Children to Find Their Voice

Gabriel is especially proud of how his storytelling has sparked something in others. As I told the BBC:

“He’s enjoying other children collectively taking on literacy and writing for each other.”

For me, it’s been about more than just literacy. StoryQuest is helping children build confidence, emotional expression, and a sense of creative agency.

“He just began narrating and I scribbled notes and asked him to tell me more,” I explained in the article. “I then read it back to him and he would feedback his edits.”

Together, we turned our kitchen-table ritual into something that now touches classrooms and children’s lives far beyond our own.

The Next Chapter

We’re just getting started. Gabriel and I continue to lead StoryQuest sessions, meet incredible students and teachers, and spread a little more imagination wherever we go.

Whether you're a parent, teacher, or simply someone who loves a good story, remember: storytelling can unlock something profound in a child. Sometimes, all it takes is listening.

You can read more about our journey in the BBC News article.