Year 4 and 5 pupils at Newfield Park Primary Academy stepped into the world of storytelling during a live online event with bestselling writing duo Katie and Kevin Tsang, held as part of the school’s activities for the National Year of Reading 2026.
The authors introduced pupils to The Neverland Thieves, their fantasy adventure inspired by J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan, giving children an insight into the imagination and ideas behind creating a children’s book.
During the session, pupils designed their own islands and developed ideas for stories and adventures, exploring how writers bring fictional worlds to life. The activity encouraged children to think creatively, develop their own ideas and experience some of the processes involved in writing a story.
School Principal, Steve Payne, said: “One of the most important things we can do as a school is help children find something they love about learning. Reading has a huge part to play in that, but we also want pupils to see where a book can take them and what it can inspire them to do.
“Seeing them come up with their own islands, characters and adventures was a great example of this. When children are given the chance to explore their ideas, take creative risks and share their thinking with others, they begin to see what they are capable of. That kind of confidence matters well beyond reading and writing and is exactly the kind of curiosity and independence we want to nurture at Newfield.”
Katie and Kevin Tsang have written several bestselling children’s series, including Sam Wu, Space Blasters and the Dragon Realm saga. Published in September 2026, The Neverland Thieves reimagines Neverland for contemporary readers. The story follows Tom, a patient at Great Ormond Street Hospital, and his friends Felix and Daisy as they embark on a magical adventure involving pirates, mermaids and the Lost Boys and Girls. When they are blamed for a series of thefts, they must find a way to uncover the truth and clear their names.
The series also aims to raise awareness of Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) Charity, which supports Great Ormond Street Hospital’s work caring for seriously ill children from across the UK and funds advances in treatment, research and care. Funds raised through The Neverland Thieves will go towards supporting the charity’s work to give seriously ill children the best childhood possible in light of difficult circumstances.
The National Year of Reading 2026 is a nationwide campaign encouraging people of all ages to rediscover the enjoyment of reading and make it part of everyday life. Led by the Department for Education in collaboration with the National Literacy Trust and other organisations, the campaign aims to address the decline in reading for pleasure and reconnect people with reading in all its forms.
For schools, the campaign provides an opportunity to broaden pupils’ experiences of reading and highlight the range of ways they can engage with books and stories, from novels and non-fiction to poetry, comics, graphic novels and audiobooks. Its ‘Go All In’ theme encourages children and young people to connect reading with the subjects and interests they already enjoy.
The author event formed part of Newfield Park’s wider commitment to promoting reading for pleasure and helping pupils grow in confidence as readers and creative writers.
