Come read with Owl

09/06/2026

School holidays. Rainy weekends. Five minutes of peace with a cuppa 😆

If you've ever heard "I'm bored" before you've even poured the breakfast cereal, this might help.

I've put together a fun Arts and Crafts Book Box for children aged 3+.

For just £10, each box includes:

📖 Things to Make and Do Activity Book
🍬 A surprise treat (dietary requirements catered for)
🔖 A bookmark

A fun screen-free activity designed to encourage creativity and imagination.

I'd love your honest feedback.

Is this something your child, grandchild, niece or nephew would enjoy?

And if you'd like one, pop BOOK below or send me a message.

02/06/2026

A funny thing happened recently.

I realised I've started growing things.

Not just reading about them. Not admiring other people's. Actually growing them.

A few sunflowers, some wildflowers and a handful of little seedlings sitting outside my front door.

Now, if you'd told the younger me that I'd get excited about checking on plants each morning, I'd have laughed.

But I think it's about more than gardening.

For years life felt like one long game of keeping plates spinning.

Work. Kids. Home. Responsibilities.

Everything felt urgent.

These little pots reminded me that I'm in a different season now.

A season where I have the time to nurture something.

A season where not everything has to be rushed.

A season where I can enjoy watching something grow.

Maybe that's one of the gifts that comes with getting older.

Not needing everything to happen immediately.

Trusting the process.

Giving things time.

Whether that's a plant, a dream, a relationship or even ourselves.

I'm still not entirely convinced I'm a gardener...

But I'm quite enjoying finding out. 🌻

01/06/2026

📱 Parent Problem Monday

Does anyone else have a teenager who can spend hours on a screen but somehow still tell you they're bored? 😆

Or perhaps you have a teenager who struggles with reading, but can happily talk for hours about the ins and outs of their favourite computer game?

As a parent of a dyslexic teenager, I know that reading isn't always straightforward. It doesn't mean they're not intelligent, curious or capable - sometimes they just need a different way in.

Finding activities that teenagers genuinely want to do away from screens can sometimes feel like a challenge.

That's one of the reasons I love Usborne's adventure game books for older children and teens. They're packed with puzzles, challenges, brain teasers and activities that keep minds busy without feeling like schoolwork.

Perfect for:
🎲 Rainy days
🎲 Holidays
🎲 Travel
🎲 Screen-free time and spending time as a family
🎲 Those "I'm bored" moments

Sometimes having something fun and engaging within reach can make all the difference.

What's your biggest challenge when it comes to screen time? 📱😊

31/05/2026

📚 Sunday Book Spotlight

With Pride Month starting on Monday, I wanted to share a book that had me hooked from the very beginning.

One of the things I love most about books is their ability to help us see the world through the eyes of someone else.

This powerful story follows Jesse, who has recently come out as non-binary and is trying to find their place in the world. When they discover their cousin Lisa's teenage diary from 35 years earlier, they uncover stories of friendship, courage, protest and the fight for acceptance.

It's a reminder that history isn't just about dates and events. It's about people, their stories and the challenges they faced to create a better future.

Books like this help start conversations, build understanding and remind us that everyone deserves to feel seen, valued and, most importantly, heard.

As someone who believes books can help us understand both ourselves and others a little better, this one really stayed with me.

Have you ever read a book that changed the way you thought about something?

If you'd like to know more about this one, pop me a message. 😊📚

30/05/2026

📚 Free Resource Saturday

Children can worry about all sorts of things - school, friendships, trying new things, changes at home and sometimes things we don't even realise are on their minds.

And with the half term nearly over and the return to school being so close it can stir up a lot of emotions for our children and even us as parents.

That's why I wanted to share this free Unworry Pack from Usborne.

It's packed with simple activities and ideas to help children and adults unworry.
You can download it here:

https://usborne.com/media/usborne/activity_sheet/file//u/n/unworry_pack_2023.pdf

As parents and carers, we can't take every worry away, but we can help our children feel heard and supported. ❤️

What's one thing that helps your child when they're feeling worried?

29/05/2026

One thing I've learnt through running my Usborne business is that it's about so much more than books.

Of course I love helping families find books their children enjoy, and creating magic for schools and nurseries in their libraries but I've also loved meeting new people, building confidence and creating something that's mine.

Like most things in life, it's not always perfect, but it's definitely been worth it.

In fact, this past month has reminded me of that more than ever. After losing my dad, having something positive to focus on, people to connect with and a sense of purpose has helped me more than I can put into words.
Sometimes we don't realise quite how much something means to us until we need it.

I'm curious...

What's something you've done that turned out to be completely different from what you expected?

👇

19/05/2026

💛 LOCAL BUSINESSES — CAN YOU HELP SUPPORT CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH? 💛

This May I’m looking for local businesses to sponsor children’s mental health book bundles for local schools 📚✨

As someone who supports children with SEN needs, this project is incredibly close to my heart.

The books cover: 🌈 Anxiety & worries
🌈 Confidence & self-esteem
🌈 Friendships & emotions
🌈 Big life changes

Bundles start from just £21.97 and sponsors will be recognised inside the books and on social media 💛

The books will then be donated to local schools in June & July so the support continues beyond Mental Health Awareness Month.

If you’d like to support local children and make a difference, please message me for more information 😊

Kylie 💛
Come Read With Owl

25/04/2026

25/04/2026

I have never really been a gardener or a sun lover for that matter but in tribute to my dear old dad I am going to explore the garden a bit more starting with sunflowers 🌻(not sure if he liked them) but definitely can see why children get to try and grow them at school...

Feel like I have missed out a little I grew cress 😂

Any tips gratefully received!

07/04/2026

🌱 Calling all nurseries — let’s bring more stories to your setting 🌱

I love working with nurseries to help little ones fall in love with books from the very start 💛

I offer simple, low-pressure ways to bring books into your setting, including: • Sponsored reads
• Book fairs
• Community book pledges

Everything is flexible and fully organised for you — no added stress for your team.

Even better, your nursery can earn FREE books to enjoy and share, helping you build a lovely, engaging reading environment for your children 📚

You choose the books that suit your setting, and I’ll handle the rest.

If you’d like to add more stories, cosy reading moments, and new books to your nursery, I’d love to chat.

💬 Pop a comment below or send me a message and I’ll happily talk you through it.