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.
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Gabriel Khan, age 10, co-authored a book with his mum, Kate Markland
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Their framework became StoryQuest™, now used in schools to inspire young writers
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The project is being recognised by educators, psychologists, and national press
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It’s part storytelling, part safeguarding, part literacy revolution
International Media Highlights
- Children unlock the wonderful world of their imagination through storytelling. Yahoo News (July 2025).
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Children become authors for Bradford UK City of Culture anthology. Yahoo News (July 2025).
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Boy's storytelling method puts 'joy' back into literacy. BBC News (June 2025).
- Â 11-year-old's story sparks educational revolution as boys rediscover love of writing. MSNÂ (May 2025).Â
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The Adventures of Bradford where every child’s story comes to life. MSN (April 2025).Â
- Bradford children find their voice through new storytelling initiative. MSNÂ (April 2025).


UK Media Highlights
- Children unlock the wonderful world of their imagination through storytelling. Gloucestershire Live (July 2025).
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Bradford children become authors for city's literature festival. Telegraph & Argus (July 2025).
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Bradford children shine as authors in City's Literature Festival. Yorkshire Post, Yorkshire Evening Post (July 2025).
- Pupils go wild with words. Yorkshire Post (June 2025)
- Cheltenham schoolboy’s story becomes national model for helping kids reconnect with writing. Cheltenham Post (May 2025).
Further UK Media Highlights
- 11-year-old's story sparks educational revolution as boys rediscover love of writing. Harrogate Advertiser, Halifax Courier (May 2025).Â
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Bradford initiative shows 90% success rate as boys rediscover love of writing through storytelling. Yorkshire Post, Yorkshire Evening Post (May 2025).
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Every child has a story. Yorkshire Post, Yorkshire Evening Post  (May 2025).
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The Adventures of Bradford where every child’s story comes to life. Yorkshire Post, Yorkshire Evening Post (April 2025).Â
- Bradford children find their voice through new storytelling initiative. Yorkshire Post, Yorkshire Evening Post (April 2025).
Radio Highlights
- The Adventures of Gabriel. Day Time Show. BBC Radio Gloucestershire (May 2025).
- The Adventures of Bradford. Bradford and Beyond. Bradford Community Broadcast (May and April 2025).Â
- Children's stories, by children. Featured on Steel FM, the Business Show (April 2025).Â
- Featured on Times Radio during the Cheltenham Literature Festival (October 2024).Â


Professional Publications & Research
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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.
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Markland, K. (Spring 2025 Edition). Storytelling as a Tool for Building Children’s Resilience. Canadian Teacher Magazine.
- The Adventures of Gabriel: Stories of Resilience for Children and Mothers in the Family Courts. SHERA Research Group (2024).Â
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.

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
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Boys are twice as likely to fall behind in writing by age 11
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Oracy and confidence are in steep decline post-pandemic
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Storytelling is helping them reconnect, not just with learning, but with themselves