I recently had the pleasure of joining Tom Barnard on The Tom Barnard Podcast to talk about children’s books, literacy, creativity and the joy of sharing stories.
My writing journey began when I was 11 years old and wrote a play for my boarding house Christmas party. Many years later, storytelling became an important part of my life as a parent. I made up stories for my children, often turning everyday experiences into imaginative adventures or adding my own twist to familiar fairy tales.
Those family storytelling moments eventually grew into the children’s books I write today.
Making Reading Fun
Children’s books play an important role in developing literacy, but reading should never feel like a chore.
My goal is to create stories that entertain children and make them want to keep turning the pages. That is why my books often combine fun, facts and fantasy with rhyme, humour and unexpected situations.
When children enjoy a story, they become more interested in words, ideas and reading.
Reading Creates Connection
During the interview, we discussed how much children enjoy having parents, grandparents and caregivers read to them.
Reading together is about more than recognizing words. It creates time to connect, ask questions, laugh and explore new ideas. A shared story can spark a child’s imagination while helping them develop language, empathy and confidence.
We also discussed whether e-books should be considered the same as other forms of screen time. I believe there is an important difference between passively watching content and reading an e-book together.
When an adult and child pause to discuss the pictures, explain a word or wonder what might happen next, the experience is still interactive and meaningful.
Making Stories More Accessible
Printed books will always have a special place in our homes, schools and libraries. At the same time, illustrated books can be expensive to produce and print.
E-books allow independent authors to make stories more affordable and accessible to families around the world. Regardless of the format, what matters most is helping children discover stories they enjoy.
A Growing World of Stories
I have now published ten children’s books, with many more waiting to be told. My goal is to continue creating stories filled with imagination, memorable characters, positive messages and plenty of fun.
Thank you to Tom Barnard and the podcast team for welcoming me and giving me the opportunity to share my journey.
Watch the Interview
Watch my full conversation with Tom Barnard about children’s literacy, storytelling and publishing:
Watch Simon Dorey on The Tom Barnard Podcast
After watching, I invite you to explore my collection of children’s books and discover your family’s next story to share.