I didn't know I had so many stories inside me until I was allowed to let them out.
Get behind the power of storytelling
You 465 children in nine UK schools, eight of them in Bradford. Every one of them took part. Now help the next school, and every family in it, find their voice.
THE IMPACT OF STORYTELLING
465 children. Nine schools. Every voice matters.
465
Children took part
9
UK schools
Every child
Took part, including those who said they didn't write
90%
Finished their stories in Bradford
Reluctant writers stayed to keep writing. Children in Bradford wrote their own anthology and became published authors at the city's literature festival.
Kate's connection to Bradford began in childhood. She spent her early years there before her family moved away. Years later, she returned to help children discover the power of storytelling. Eight of the nine participating UK schools are in Bradford, a city that has always been part of her story.
The night before Gabriel was taken, I read to him at bedtime.
Just before sleep, he asked, “Mum, do you have a nice bookmark?”
I told him I did.
“You made it for me when you were three.”
I have carried that bookmark in my pocket every single day since.
I did not know then that stories, bookmarks and books would become the purpose of our lives. I did not know that what happened next would reach children across four continents or that the thing Gabriel asked me about on his last night at home would become one of the things that held us together.
But it did.
THEIR WORDS. THEIR IMAGINATION.
Sometimes, the best stories come straight from the children.
Stories had always been how we found one another
I believed in myself so I could create things I didn't even know I could do.
Amazing! Best day ever! I feel more confident.
Today was really fun because my mind was in a world where anything is possible, and it made me curious.
I love being an author because I felt as though I could express myself.
So fun. I want to be an author when I grow up. I wish I could do this every day.
I couldn't believe I wrote such a long story.
The only superpower you need is imagination.
My grandfather was a storyteller from Bradford in the UK. He needed no book only his voice and my wide-eyed attention.
My mother read to my brother and me every night until the end of junior school. Even when we could read for ourselves, she kept the ritual. Stories were never something we simply consumed. They were something we experienced together.
When Gabriel came along, I continued what had been passed down to me.
The Night Before
The night before Gabriel was taken, I read to him at bedtime.
Just before sleep, he asked, “Mum, do you have a nice bookmark?”
I told him I did.
“You made it for me when you were three.”
I have carried that bookmark in my pocket every single day since.
I did not know then that stories, bookmarks and books would become the purpose of our lives. I did not know that what happened next would reach children across four continents or that the thing Gabriel asked me about on his last night at home would become one of the things that held us together.
But it did.
The night before Gabriel was taken, I read to him at bedtime.
Just before sleep, he asked, “Mum, do you have a nice bookmark?”
I told him I did.
“You made it for me when you were three.”
I have carried that bookmark in my pocket every single day since.
I did not know then that stories, bookmarks and books would become the purpose of our lives. I did not know that what happened next would reach children across four continents or that the thing Gabriel asked me about on his last night at home would become one of the things that held us together.
But it did.
The difference teachers noticed.
Even the kids who don't like writing, they didn't want to leave. They wanted more. We've never seen that kind of engagement before.
Tom Hirst
Head of English
Dixons Manningham Primary, Bradford
Dixons Manningham Primary, Bradford
Pupils really worked well with their scribe partners, allowing a first draft of their story to be spoken, not written. I could see throughout the day confidence growing, particularly for previously reluctant writers.
Claire Light
Quality of Education Leader
Beckfoot Heaton Primary, Bradford
Beckfoot Heaton Primary, Bradford
Every child felt included, supported, and empowered to express their ideas freely.
Ben Linsel
Year 6 Teacher
A MESSAGE FROM KATE
From one hour a week to hundreds of young storytellers.
I spent my early years in Bradford before my family moved away. It's a city I've known since childhood, and a place that has remained part of my story.
Years later, I returned to work with children in Bradford's schools. Eight of the nine UK schools that have taken part in our storytelling work are here.
The children brought their own imaginations, experiences and ideas. Every child took part, including those who had previously found writing difficult. Some went on to become published authors at Bradford's literature festival.
It began with one hour a week between my son Gabriel and me. He imagined a world. I listened, asked questions and wrote his ideas down. Together, we created Coral Cove, a world that became three books.
I don't speak for every family in Bradford.
What I do is listen.
Now I want to take this further: to more schools in Bradford, to schools in Pakistan, and into the homes of families who love each other across a distance.
Distance doesn't have to divide a family.
BECOME A FRIEND OF CORAL COVE
Help the next school find its voice.
Choose how you'd like to help bring storytelling into classrooms and homes.
A Bridge
£7,500
Connect a school in Bradford with a school in Pakistan, giving children in two countries the chance to create stories in the same world.
What's included
Everything in A School, for both schools
A shared Coral Cove adventure shaped by children in Bradford and Pakistan
A Home Pass for families in both countries
A book launch you host in Bradford, and one hosted by the school in Pakistan, with Kate joining online
The Bridge named for you, if you’d like public recognition: “The [Your Business] Bradford to [City] Bridge”
Your logo on the back cover of every book
A printed presentation copy for each school, signed by Kate
Founding Friend
A School (recommended)
£3,500
Give a whole year group, up to three classes, a year of Coral Cove storytelling and books of their own.
What's included
Everything in A Class, for every class in the year group
A book launch hosted by you
A dedication page in every class book, in your own words (about 60 words, subject to confirmation)
The option to open the books with a family story
A short letter of thanks read by the head teacher at the launch (subject to the school’s agreement)
A printed presentation copy, signed by Kate
Founding Friend
A CLaSS
£1,750
One class of about 30 children, a year of stories and their own printed book.
What’s included
A year’s Coral Cove Club membership for the class
A printed Platy Press magazine for the class every month
The Create Your Own Story workshop
A printed class book with your bookplate
A Home Pass for every family
An invitation to the launch
A PDF copy of the book
Recognition on the Friends page and in the book, or the choice to remain unnamed
Friend of Coral Cove
YOUR SUPPORT. YOUR STORY.
A thank-you that's personal to you.
Every Friend can decide how they would like their support to be recognised.
Your Business Name
Recognise your company and its contribution.
Your Family Name
Celebrate the people you love.
In Memory Of
Honour someone whose story matters to you.
Quiet Support
Choose to remain unnamed publicly.
STORY GALLERY
Explore a wonderful collection of stories created by young imaginations! From magical worlds to daring adventures, discover the creativity, courage and endless possibilities of storytelling.
Novemeber 11, 2026
Story Gallery
The Adventures of Yousef
Deep within a mysterious forest, Yousuf and his extraordinary talking cat, Malteser, encounter a terrifying monster threatening everything around them.
Novemeber 11, 2026
Story Gallery
Amelia and the Gem Stealer
Join Amelia and Rex on a thrilling adventure to save the city's precious gem from a fire-breathing dragon!
Novemeber 11, 2026
Story Gallery
Daiyu and the Demon of the Mountain
Join Daiyu and her magical companions, Silena and Artemis, on a thrilling adventure filled with dangerous sharks, mysterious jungles and a terrifying mountain.
Novemeber 11, 2026
Story Gallery
Jer and the Temporal Tiger
Join Jer and his magical friend Fluffy on a thrilling adventure to save a mysterious world from a terrifying Titan and mammoth. A story of courage, magic and friendship!
IN THE NEWS AND BEYOND
The story is reaching further.
A SPACE FOR EVERY IMAGINATION
Children are safest when they're heard.
In the Coral Cove Club, children choose what happens next. They shape the story together, as a class, and nobody marks their imagination wrong.
That freedom, and the trust that comes with it, helps children feel able to speak up.
.Children do not appear on screen as part of the Club's storytelling process. Ideas are shared through teachers and credited to the class. Children retain ownership of their stories, and nothing is published without the required parental permission.
WITH GRATITUDE
Our Friends of Coral Cove
With thanks to the friends who helped bring the world of Coral Cove to life.
Publishing Friend
Kevin Long
BabySteps Publishing – For producing the books.
Creative Friend
Daniel
BH Studios – For the studio.
Digital Friends
Masooma and the GHLTechy team
GHLTechy – For the website and digital experiences.
A message from Daniel
What you're creating is genuinely special, and I believe the work you're doing can make a real difference to others.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT KATE MARKLAND
Real Voices. Genuine Experiences. Inspiring Stories.
Hear from audience members and educators who have experienced Kate’s unique approach to storytelling, imagination and meaningful connection.
“I just found it so fascinating.”
— Rashmi
“It was humorous and touching as well.”
“It was absolutely captivating.”
They Didn’t Want to Leave”
“Even the children who do not usually enjoy writing wanted to stay. They wanted to keep creating and asked to do it again.”
“She has a wonderful warmth, a beautiful voice, which is just made for storytelling.”
The Adventures of Gabriel
Operated by STORYQUEST LTD | Registered Company No. 16741202
The Coral Cove Club gives children the freedom to imagine, speak and be heard without being corrected, guided or rushed. It begins with a story. But what families create together is something much bigger: connection.
coNTACT dETAILS
+44 7360 270776
© Copyright 2026. The Adventures of Gabriel. All rights reserved. | Operated by STORYQUEST LTD | Registered Company No. 16741202