This year's Cheltenham Literature Festival was special for many reasons, but one moment in particular stood out. Kate Markland had the joy of gifting a signed copy of The Adventures of Gabriel to Graeme, the brilliant and ever-encouraging presence from the Waterstones Children's Tent.

A Familiar Face, Year After Year

Graeme has been a familiar and welcoming face for both Kate and her son, Gabriel, every time they've attended the festival over the years. His warmth, knowledge, and passion for children's books made a lasting impression—especially on a young Gabriel, who was just beginning to explore more advanced books around the age of 7 or 8.

At that time, Gabriel's reading ability was growing. He was ready for books with more text and fewer pictures—but he still longed for visual storytelling. Many children at that stage feel caught between the world of picture books and full novels.

Graeme understood that need perfectly. He made thoughtful suggestions, introduced Gabriel to new authors, and helped bridge that tricky transition with books that balanced story and illustration.

A Gift with Heart

Now, just two years later, Kate and Gabriel have co-authored their own book, The Adventures of Gabriel, a story filled with magic, emotion, puzzles, and pictures, designed especially for readers just like Gabriel once was.

Gifting a copy to Graeme was more than a gesture—it was a thank you for the quiet encouragement, for seeing Gabriel, and for helping him stay connected to stories at a crucial age.

"Graeme, thank you for inspiring Gabriel when he needed it most. Your suggestions helped keep him engaged, and now we've created something that we hope will do the same for other children—books with pictures, puzzles, and adventures they can grow with." — Kate

Full Circle

Moments like this remind us that inspiration often comes from the quiet champions behind the scenes—the booksellers, librarians, and festival teams who open the door to new worlds for young readers.

As The Adventures of Gabriel continues to find its way into children's hands, Kate and Gabriel carry with them the encouragement they once received under the striped canopy of the Waterstones tent—and now, they're passing it on.

For Transitional Readers Like Gabriel Was

The Adventures of Gabriel series is designed for children aged 7-11 who:

• Are ready for longer stories but still love illustrations
• Enjoy puzzles and interactive elements in books
• Want adventures they can return to again and again

Explore the series: theadventuresofgabriel.com

To all the Graemes in bookshops, libraries, and festivals everywhere: thank you for seeing children, hearing them, and helping them find their next favorite story.