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.

  • 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

International Media Highlights

  • Children unlock the wonderful world of their imagination through storytelling. Yahoo News (July 2025).
  • Children become authors for Bradford UK City of Culture anthology. Yahoo News (July 2025).

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

  •  11-year-old's story sparks educational revolution as boys rediscover love of writing. MSN (May 2025). 
  • The Adventures of Bradford where every child’s story comes to life. MSN (April 2025). 

  • Bradford children find their voice through new storytelling initiative. MSN (April 2025).

UK Media Highlights

  • Children unlock the wonderful world of their imagination through storytelling. Gloucestershire Live (July 2025).
  • Bradford children become authors for city's literature festival. Telegraph & Argus (July 2025).

  • 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

Radio Highlights

Professional Publications & Research

  • 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.

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

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

  • 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