At the end of September, I went to the Childcare and Education Expo which was an amazing event for the Early Years and Primary sector.
There were many great exhibitors and one of the stalls especially caught my eye. I truly believe that ‘There’s More to Books than Reading’ and Thinkably proves that too.
Thinkably is a digital library aimed at Early Years and Primary aged children, to help reduce anxiety. They have hard hitting subject matters such as Bullying, Coronavirus, Environmental issues, Extremism, Inclusion, Happiness, Health and activity, Human Rights, Growing up, Mental Health, Racism, Relationships, Slavery, Street Crime, Tech Anxiety and World Wide Issues.
I had the honour of interviewing Dean Horridge CEO and Phil Knight (Chief Creative Officer) about Thinkably.
Thinkably is such an inspirational idea. How did it come about?
Phil Knight said that his son has a friend at nursery who has two dads. When his son came home and asked lots of questions, although Phil tried, he didn’t feel his explanations were quite right. So he wrote a book about two dinosaurs who came across an egg and brought up the baby together. It helped his son to understand better. The Nursery loved the idea and took the book to support all the children to help their understanding. It was in the early hours of the morning, when comforting his son Phil realised that books were a brilliant way to help in other areas, across all subjects, especially with his background of helping explain slavery, anti-terrorism and most recently, making COVID lesson plans.
I really believe there is More to Books than Reading. What do your readers learn from your books?
Phil Knight said the books help to open their minds. From working in difficult areas around the country, his aim was to help young children understand exploitation. Parents and teachers can read the books about the gangs with the children to help see each other’s point of view, to start the conversation.
When writing the books, Phil realised that it helped when the children fell in love with the characters. The children empathised better with Andy and the Dinosaur when discussing racism.
“Thinkably enhances learning with difficult subject matter”
Dean Horridge
I think books bring stories to life, I’d love to know about Thinkably’s story, we have heard how it started, where do you see it doing?
“Globally. Having Thinkably all over the world. Children’s anxiety levels are high everywhere and this is concerning for parents. The platform has been adding resources to help extraordinary circumstances families have been facing.
We really want to do something good in the world.” Dean Horridge
Competition
What made me most excited about connecting with Thinkably is the competition they are running at the moment.
It is an amazing opportunity for all our learners but I am excited because it will engage reluctant writers and readers by giving them a purpose and the chance to do something remarkable!
All they have to do is write 1000 words independently and email to competitions@thinkably.org by the 29th of October.
The winner will get their book published on the Thinkably Platform, receive 50 copies of their own book and get a life time Membership for their family and their school.
The judges are looking for originality, plot, characters and overall enjoyment.
What tips would you give for budding young writers for their stories to stand out?
Phil Knight said that Thinkably are looking for great use of imagination. Whatever your idea is, don’t think that it won’t work! His most recent book ‘The Remarkables’ is based on children he has worked with that have ADHD and autism. There are no boundaries in writing, take it wherever you want it to go.
“Let your imagination run wild”
Phil Knight
“Write what you love and someone will love it“
Phil Knight
(He thinks Quincy Jones might have said that)
Twitter: @thinkably_org
Follow Thinkably on social media
Instagram: thinkably_org
Facebook: Thinkably
I am very happy to tell you that my book, There’s More to Books than Reading has also been published on the Thinkably platform for everyone to read. If you would like a hard copy go to http://www.Moretobooks.com and click on the Amazon link or contact me for a personalised signed copy.
Who is going to enter the competition?
What do your children think their superpower is?
Love Kat x
More to Books 
This is very beautiful and inspirational. I love the idea of children learning about such difficult subjects without even realising it. Their parents and carers will probably learn a thing or two as well!
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Thank you for your comment. I agree, there is a lot to learn from books even as adults.
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