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As Featured in The Yorkshire Post, BBC Radio Gloucestershire & More

Share the story that’s helping children rediscover the joy of writing, and inspiring schools across the UK.

The Adventures of Gabriel began as a Friday night project between a mum and her 10-year-old son.

 

Today, it’s a national literacy model featured in major media outlets, school programmes, and education conferences across the UK and beyond.

“One story started it. Thousands of children are continuing it.”

What’s the story?

  • Gabriel Khan, age 10, co-authored a book with his mum, Kate Markland

  • Their framework became StoryQuest™, now used in schools to inspire young writers

  • The project is being recognised by educators, psychologists, and national press

  • It’s part storytelling, part safeguarding, part literacy revolution

Media Highlights

  • Boy's storytelling method puts 'joy' back into literacy. BBC News (June 2025),

  • The Adventures of Gabriel. Day Time Show. BBC Radio Gloucestershire (May 2025).
  • 11-year-old's story sparks educational revolution as boys rediscover love of writing. MSN, Harrogate Advertiser, Halifax Courier (May 2025). 
  • The Adventures of Gabriel. Day Time Show. BBC Radio Gloucestershire (May 2025).
  • 11-year-old's story sparks educational revolution as boys rediscover love of writing. MSN, Harrogate Advertiser, Halifax Courier (May 2025). 

  • Bradford initiative shows 90% success rate as boys rediscover love of writing through storytelling. Yorkshire Post, Yorkshire Evening Post (May 2025).

  • Every child has a story. Yorkshire Post, Yorkshire Evening Post (May 2025).

  • The Adventures of Bradford where every child’s story comes to life. MSN, Yorkshire Post, Yorkshire Evening Post (April 2025). 

  • Bradford children find their voice through new storytelling initiative. MSN, Yorkshire Post, Yorkshire Evening Post (April 2025).
  • The Adventures of Bradford. Bradford and Beyond, Bradford Community Broadcast (April 2025). 
  • Children's stories, by children. Featured on Steel FM, the Business Show (April 2025). 

  • Featured on Times Radio during the Cheltenham Literature Festival (October 2024). 

  • The Adventures of Gabriel: Stories of Resilience for Children and Mothers in the Family Courts. SHERA Research Group (2024). 

Empowering Stories & Research

  • Markland, K. & G. (2024). The Adventures of Gabriel. Babysteps Publishing. ISBN: 9798340794543. Website: theadventuresofgabriel.com

  • Markland, K. (2024). From Adversity to Agency: Storytelling as a Tool for Building Children’s Resilience. Journal of Novel Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, ISSN 2573-6264.

  • Markland, K. (Spring 2025 Edition). Storytelling as a Tool for Building Children’s Resilience. Canadian Teacher Magazine.

Presentations & Conferences

  • Markland, K. (2025). Giving Children a Voice: How Storytelling Safeguards Children. The Barcelona Conference on Education.
  • Markland, K. (2025).
    From Adversity to Agency: Storytelling as a Tool for Building Children’s Resilience. The 13th European Conference on Education.

  • Markland, K. (January 2025).
    From Adversity to Agency: Storytelling as a Tool for Building Children’s Resilience. Presented at the British Psychological Society.

Featured by:

Interview or Feature Request?

We’re happy to speak with: Journalists, Education and Parenting bloggers, Radio hosts, Literacy advocates.

 Use the form below to contact Kate directly.

Why This Story Matters Now

  • Boys are twice as likely to fall behind in writing by age 11

  • Oracy and confidence are in steep decline post-pandemic

  • Storytelling is helping them reconnect, not just with learning, but with themselves