Example book

Jack’s Magical Space Adventure

Jack has a cardboard rocket, a torch, and a plan. Somewhere above the roof of the house, something has gone quiet — and Jack is the only one still awake to hear it.

Aged 5
Into space
Magical Adventure

Make one like this

Starring Jack

Pages from the book

Jack in pyjamas inside a cardboard rocket in a dim hallway, torchlight spilling out of the window flap — The rocket was mostly a box. But it had a window, and a torch, and a big red switch that said GO. Jack checked his straps. He took a deep breath. “Three… two… one…”

Jack’s cardboard rocket rising past the bedroom window into a deep starry sky — WHOOSH! Up past the curtains. Up past the roof. Up past the sleepy grey clouds. Space was darker than the landing at night — much darker. Jack held his torch a little bit tighter, and kept going anyway.

Jack floating with his torch beside a small dim moon sulking behind a cloud — And there was the little moon, hiding behind a cloud with no light left at all. “Don’t worry,” said Jack. “I’ve got a torch, and I’m very good at sharing.” He shone it — bright and warm and steady. Slowly, the moon began to glow.

What made this book Jack’s

Everything on this list came from what a parent told us, and every one of them changed the story rather than decorating it.

Jack’s name and his sister Ruby, who does not believe him
The cardboard rocket in the hall
His fear of the dark, named honestly and outgrown by page nineteen
Pancakes, which he negotiates for at the end

More example books

Emma and the Secret Dinosaur Garden

Starring Emma

Emma and the Secret Dinosaur Garden

A gate at the end of the garden that was not there yesterday.

Olivia and the Moonlight Unicorn

Starring Olivia

Olivia and the Moonlight Unicorn

A bedtime story that ends with everybody asleep. Including the unicorn.

Noah’s First Day of School

Starring Noah

Noah’s First Day of School

For the child who has asked eleven times whether Mum will definitely come back.