On March 30, the Born & Read campaign will partner with the National Centre for Writing during its Family Activity Day from 10am to 3pm.

Children will be able to take part in a special colouring competition for a chance to feature in the Eastern Daily Press, and also have the chance to take home one of 100 free goody bags, each including a brand‑new book courtesy of the Born & Read Campaign and its partners.

Plus, families can explore a full day of activities provided by the National Centre for Writing, including giant games, story time in the book nook, activity bags to help you explore Dragon Hall, creative play and storytelling sessions led by local artists and performers and self‑led tours using activity sheets.

And don’t forget to bring your lunch for a picnic in the garden!

Children’s author and illustrator Kate Read (Image: Ella Thompson Read)

Kate Read, a children’s book author and illustrator based in Aylsham, will lead two workshops in the afternoon at 1pm and 2pm.

Kate works in collage, using hand‑painted and mono‑printed papers in the studio above her shop, One Fox.

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Her most recent book, Heart of the Storm, was created with Teresa Heapy and published by Otter‑Barry Books. She described it as “an exciting adventure story” about a wolf called Growl and a fox called Ruby who live in the same forest – but do not get along!

“The characters are swept along by a wild storm and forced to find a way to overcome their differences and eventually find friendship,” Kate said.

The Heart of the Storm is published by Otter Barry Books (Image: Otter Barry Books)

The workshop will start with a reading from the new book. After that, families will get the chance to take part in hands‑on activities.

“I’m so excited to read the newly published Heart of the Storm and afterwards we will get creative and make a fox or wolf mask using simple printing techniques and collage, then children will use their imaginations to draw new characters.”

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The session offers a direct way into reading for children who respond best to activity‑based learning, and Kate feels that illustration can be a great gateway to reading for young learners.

“Books give us the chance to understand how someone else might feel, to get inside their heads and put ourselves in their position,” she said. “But long before children have learned to read the words, they follow the illustrations.

“As an illustrator, I spend a lot of time trying to convey exactly the right mood of the character in their body language or expression, and stories can be great starting points for discussion between children and adults.”

The Heart of the Storm is a story about a wolf called Growl and a fox called Ruby who live in the same forest (Image: Otter Barry Books)

The event arrives at a time when many children in Norfolk read less often than in other parts of the country, putting a renewed focus on activities that build confidence and early reading habits.

Born & Read is a long‑term effort to back families across the county and support reading from the earliest years. The campaign’s events place authors face‑to‑face with children, give space for shared reading, and make books part of a normal day out.

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As a patron of the Norwich Book Festival, Kate is passionate about getting local kids excited about books and reading.

“Born & Read is an excellent way to inspire the children of Norfolk not only to read but also to write their own stories and aspire to be the storytellers of the future."

She has some advice for families hoping to build reading into daily life.

“A book before bed or nap time is ideal for small children,” Kate said. “It’s fine if your child wants to read the same book over and over again, because the repetition is comforting and they Headline sponsor are still getting lots out of it.

“I strongly believe that books are for everyone,” she added. “Whether a child prefers non‑fiction, graphic novels, comic books, picture books, novelty or chapter books, there is something for everyone out there.

“Reading can give us the chance to escape into other worlds, learn new things, travel without leaving our home and broaden our minds.”

This article has been published as part of Born & Read in Norfolk – a year-long initiative highlighting the importance of reading and writing, delivered in partnership with the National Centre for Writing, headline sponsor RWE and sponsor YouGarden. Follow the campaign throughout the year in our coverage and on social media using #BornAndRead2026 or get in touch at readingmatters@newsquest.co.uk

© Eastern Daily Press