News & Events
Shhh! and World Book Day 2026
- Date Published: 8th March 2026
I had a very enjoyable visit to Kings Norton Primary School in Birmingham, where I focused mostly on Shhh!, reading it to the younger year groups and describing the book’s development, from first ideas to publication, with the older children. Subsequently, I received the following email, which I must say is incredibly touching. It really brings home the extraordinary impact that books can have on our lives.
Dear Sally,
My reception teacher read me Shhh! When I was 5 years old in 1994. We used to ask for it every day, collectively, as a class and she would reward us with it if we had a good day. We would all get so excited for the final page to be slammed shut.
Last year, I had to search the internet for what I could remember of the book to buy it for my son, as I couldn’t remember the title. When I read it to him, I was so pleased when it made him jump at the end, as it did to me 32 years ago.
Yesterday, Joshua came home from school saying an author had been in to see them and she read Shhhh! He was so excited and proud he already knew the story.
Today, they released the school newsletter and when I saw you were the author he’d seen yesterday, I felt compelled to message you. I can’t believe I was read Shhh! by my reception teacher in a mining town in Nottinghamshire 32 years ago, and yesterday you read it to my son who is also in reception in Birmingham. I just thought it was an amazing story of a story.
Thank you for the years of joy (and “made me jump”) moments you have brought to generations.
Emily
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