Laura Hamm - Fabled

Over 40 young authors. Stories to astound & delight. Writing tips to inspire. All by kids age 2-12. Sublime illustration by @lozives @bowyerjane. ⁠ Lift your spirits. Let these young voices transport you. #thefutureismakebelieve shop.fabledkids.com

You find your kids journal lying open & can't resist a read - what happens next? (Also awesome glow in the dark coins...) open.substack.com/pub/lauraleeha…

I've started a newsletter - Imaginalia from my squirrel-horde of findings about make believe. Stories, tips, tidbits - general crack for your creative superpowers. A drink-me bottle for the storytellers in your life, big or small. Join here! lauraleehamm.substack.com

FASCINATING take: "school kids...use their phones, this technology of efficiency, to escape efficiency, to play" @TheTeacherTom on the pressure & "tedium" of adultified childhood - if a kid brought phones to his playful preschool he doubts it wld be used tinyurl.com/mr3wtpf6

@MrWalkerPrimary @MrEFinch Oh oh oh something in the furrow of her brow, I can feel the impact, I can almost feel the stillness of the class. Beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Curious - did you / she manage to read the death scene? We felt it coming & my daughter asked me to skip reading the actual words

@hammlauralee @MrEFinch In action, finishing of Edward Tulane beautifully...

Books you've GOT to read in Year Four please!

@MrWalkerPrimary @MrEFinch Oh I can only imagine the double touching-ness of hearing it read by an engaged child. Lovely.

@hammlauralee @MrEFinch It is so touching. We read it in y4 and one of my kids in class is in the middle of reading the last few chapters to the class.

@MrEFinch Dory Fantasmagory series. Abby Hanlon was inspired by her own students’ writing. Hands down the funniest charmingest best. I’ve not met a kid who didn’t obsess once read. Not known well enough in UK. Like the book equivalent of what makes the Bluey scripts so beloved.

Books you've GOT to read in Year Two please!

@MrWalkerPrimary @MrEFinch Oh Edward Tulane, just read w my 7 year old & we both wept wept - sublime. Just started Flora & Ulysses by her too - totally different & hilarious so far.

@MrEFinch Edward Tulane Podkin One-Ear Planet Omar Varjak Paw

Just donated to this fantastic @ImaginationLdn to support refugee children - a few days to join !

@evescoy Oh just a pleasure, what a lovely thing that you love to hear it!

@hammlauralee I love this. I can’t tell you how great it is to hear that children are enjoying my books. Thank you so much for telling me x

Perfect #fathersdaygifts @evescoy #picturebooks

@evescoy Thank YOU for all the joy you’ve brought us! When we gave this for Father’s Day my eldest inscribed with her pre-schooler scrawl & yesterday she was reading it aloud to her sisters in full theatrical form. Treasures in our shelves.

@hammlauralee Thank you so much x

And now the sequel to this marvellous book is in the works! Get kids to submit their questions to @mollyoldfield to get them answered in print!

… also interesting that this is exactly how children approach creativity - opportunistically, fast, delightedly & with whatever tools are to hand. They rarely identify as “creatives” but are the most creative. (Thanks to @huey @Storythings newsletter for great link as ever!)

“Creativity is a bit like exercise—it’s sometimes best to find small opportunistic ways to include it in your daily routine rather than commit to a large-scale change of lifestyle.” ⁦thinking of what my @ryantomorrow⁩ post-it equivalent will be… whyisthisinteresting.substack.com/p/the-lunch-no…

@Pollylwh Ok that settles it I would definitely be a fan. You’re right, the texture is the entire problem. Airy nonsense.

@hammlauralee Texturally vastly superior to a wotsit. Like an intense cheese niknak.

Dill flavour crisps are the best crisps and it is mystifying why they are not more of a thing in this crisp loving country.

@Pollylwh Ooh I’m not familiar - but by the name I bet it whoops a wotsit

@hammlauralee I am partial to an Australian cheese twistie it's true

#onceuponafairytale - by the @oharasisters is a triumph - a you-choose book that inspires real storytelling. Riotous joyful words & illustrations to match the wild beauty of childish imagining. Brilliant! @MacmillanKidsUK

@sarahdrinkwater @AlisonGopnik @fabled_kids You're in luck then!! And what a book. Weirdness & comfort in equal measure. Reminded me - @Discover_Story & their kid-life-size immersive exhibit space are worldbuilding masters, it was Tiger Who Came To Tea first time I went

@hammlauralee @AlisonGopnik @fabled_kids the good news is a 3.5 year old lives in my house. tiger who came to tea is the current favourite.

When I say the phrase "worldbuilding", what do you think of? Projects/games/resources welcome.

@sarahdrinkwater @AlisonGopnik Also I haven't read it but Wonderbook by Jeff Vandermeer meant to be v helpful. But I'd go direct to the kids - I share stories on @fabled_kids podcast (overdue an update) & book #thefutureismakebelieve - or just ask any 3+ year old !

@hammlauralee @AlisonGopnik oo great tips thanks