Last month, Kate Markland had the privilege of presenting The Adventures of Gabriel at a special event in Birmingham. What began as a simple author talk quickly turned into a powerful and unexpected moment of reflection and clarity.

As Kate shared the story behind the book, a magical adventure co-authored with her son, Gabriel, the audience leaned in. But it wasn't just the story they were most curious about.

The Question That Changed Everything

From across the room, a simple but sincere question emerged, asked not once, but echoed by parents, grandparents, educators, and social workers alike:

"But how do we help children share their imaginative stories?"

Kate paused. It was a question rooted not in curiosity, but in hope. The room wasn't asking about writing tips, they were seeking a process, a path, a way in.

A Full-Circle Realisation

In that moment, something clicked. Kate realized that she hadn't just discovered this process in recent years, she'd been living it her entire professional life.

"I've spent 20 years as a physiotherapist creating safe spaces for people to share their stories," Kate said. "I learned that the solution to people's pain was always found in their narrative. Now I'm doing the same thing with children—and instead of unlocking stories about injury and healing, we're unlocking imagination, emotional truth, and resilience through creative storytelling."

The difference now? The work is with children, and instead of processing pain, it's about unlocking imagination and building confidence through creative expression.

Why Storytelling Matters

Children don't always need a formal diagnosis or an intervention—they need space, safety, and someone who truly listens.

Storytelling becomes that space. It becomes a way to:

Help children process emotions through characters and metaphors

Give children control over their narrative, building confidence and self-worth

Create connection between generations, professionals, and peers

A Community That Cares

Kate left Birmingham with a full heart—not because of applause, but because of the genuine desire in the room to understand and support children on a deeper level.

The people who asked that pivotal question weren't just professionals—they were guides, guardians, and everyday heroes, committed to helping the next generation find their voice.

Moving Forward

Kate continues to develop workshops and speaking engagements based on this exact process—guiding adults on how to support children in creating and sharing their stories, using imagination as a bridge to emotional wellbeing and resilience.

📚 The Adventures of Gabriel is just the beginning.

Because when we teach children to tell their stories, we teach them they matter. And sometimes, the answers we're looking for have been hidden in the story all along.

Experience This Approach

For schools and organizations:
Book Kate to share this process with your staff, parents, or community.
Learn more about speaking engagements

For families:
Start with The Adventures of Gabriel—the books that sparked this journey.
theadventuresofgabriel.com

For educators:
Bring the StoryQuest methodology to your classroom.
my-storyquest.com

When we give children space to tell their stories, we give them permission to matter.