Laura Henry-Allain MBE is an award-winning storyteller, producer, and educational consultant whose work has transformed children’s media, from the beloved JoJo and Gran Gran to bestselling books and early years campaigns.
Her latest project, My Words, My Book, is a co-viewing podcast designed to re-ignite children’s love of reading while supporting authors and communities often overlooked by traditional publishing routes. Here, Laura shares the inspiration behind the series and the values that continue to guide her creative journey.
Please introduce yourself …
My name is Laura Henry-Allain. I am a storyteller, producer, educationalist and consultant. That said, I remember what the late, great Benjamin Zephaniah said when he was asked a similar question. His reply was, “You mean what am I doing today?” and went on to explain the West African term griot, which means a person going from village to village sharing news and stories. As every day for me is different, I like the idea of using the term griot.
My parents came to the UK from St Lucia in the Caribbean as part of the Windrush generation. I was born in Paddington; London, W9, where many St Lucians settled. The area was affectionally known as, ‘Little St Lucia‘. When I was around two years old, we moved to Ladbroke Grove, W10 home of Notting Hill Carnival. I lived there for the rest of my childhood and early adulthood. I have since lived in south London for 28 years. I have two grown-up sons, who I am incredibly proud of. My eldest son is autistic.
Describe your life currently, in one word or a sentence.
Positively busy.
Why are we here?
To share details of my new co-viewing podcast for children and adults, parents and teachers: My Words, My Book.
Tell us about My Words, My Book podcast in your own words.
My Words, My Book is an original children’s podcast aimed at supporting children’s love of books and reading. The first episode launched on World Book Day in March 2025. I draw on my own expertise in education and creating content for my children’s books, media and television. Research shows that there is a national decline in interest in books. I want to prove that any child can have fun with books, whatever their background or situation. My Words, My Book is available to all children, including those who are home educated, those attending school online and those who are in hospital. The beauty of My Words, My Book is that children can watch or listen at a time that is suitable for them and as many times as they like. My Words, My Book is an evergreen resource!.
You’ve created such brilliant work for children. Why was now the time for a podcast?
This comes at a time of national decline in children’s reading enjoyment according to the National Literacy Trust. My Words, My Book features intimate author interviews, offering children unique insights into the creative process behind some of their most beloved stories, and explaining what it’s like to be an author.
The show features fiction and non-fiction and combines interviews with emerging authors as well as those who are well known. It reaches children across different platforms, podcast channels, YouTube and is linked to social media channels. Every episode of My Words, My Book includes extension activities that promote continuous learning and encourage hands-on engagement with the themes explored in the show. My Words, My Book also offers a platform to authors who do not have the reach or resources to promote their books and serves the many schools nationally and internationally that do not have the budget for author visits. Four charities will benefit from books donated by authors: Fences and Frontiers, Grenada Community Library, Kinship, and the South Norwood Community Kitchen. At the end of every season, there will be an opportunity to enter a competition to win a selection of the guest author books.
What’s your creative or planning routine when starting a new project like this?
Coordinating the authors diaries, my diary and the studio’s diary has been a challenge. I have a wonderful virtual PA, Juls, who has worked with me for 14 years and supports me with the operational aspects of My Words, My Book.
What did you find most challenging?
Not challenging, per se, but a learning curve. Initially I thought I could interview around six authors a day. Even though the interviews are short, the day is very tiring. I now only do three in one day.
What did you enjoy or connect with most easily?
Every single interview to date has been inspiring and there are so many common themes with the authors.
Is there an episode or moment from My Words, My Book that captures what the project means to you?
I interviewed Kelechi Okafor about her book Strong Like Me. We were discussing identity and Kelechi talked about when she came to the UK from Nigeria and was told to speak English rather than her first language. This deeply resonated with me. My parents speak St Lucian Creole and thought it best not to use their first language with me and my siblings. We know this is about parents wanting their children to fit in, but when we look at this on a deeper level, my parents’ view was coming through a colonial lens. We know from research that children who speak two or even more languages tend to do better academically. On my travels I encourage parents to speak their first language to their children; their language is part of their child’s identity and heritage.
The show also gives a platform to lesser-known authors and benefits a number of charities. Why was it important for you to centre access and community in this project?
It was very important to me to give emerging authors a voice and is part of my stance in ‘helping others to cross‘ a term that Tyler Perry uses. There are so many authors, especially Black authors, who struggle to market their books to a wider audience.
Regarding the charities, they are all charities important to me, that I feel do not get the recognition and support they need. Equally, they all support children and families. I wanted to make sure, irrespective of where a child lives, or their circumstances, that they should be able to enjoy books and reading. Adding, Tapestry, the online children’s journal has created a free download educational resource at the end of every interview for children to complete, which supports their learning.
You’ve said dyslexia affects your spelling, grammar and handwriting, but never your love of reading. What message does My Words, My Book send to children who might also feel excluded by traditional reading structures?
I believe that My Words, My Book is important for all children to listen to. A few of the authors I have interviewed are neurodivergent; autistic, ADHD and dyslexic, and equally there are characters in their books who are neurodivergent. I am also verbally dyslexic, where I mispronounce words, which you can hear when listening to the podcast.When I am at an author visit or delivering a keynote, I share this with children to show them that any disability or educational need they may have should not get in the way of what they want to do.
There has been a lot of concern around the national decline in children’s reading enjoyment. What do you think is at the root of that, and how can projects like yours help shift it?
It is of major concern that many children do not read for enjoyment, even just a few times a year. I think there are many reasons for this, libraries are closing in some areas, children’s screen usage has risen, the current curriculum does not particularly celebrate or encourage children reading for joy, and there needs to be more support for parents on the importance of early reading. I wrote a guide for parents – The Early Years Reading Timeline. I am also organising a free webinar for parents, educators, teachers, librarians and publishers, titled It takes a village – How we can all support children’s reading in their Early Years and beyond Thursday 12th June, 7:30 – 9:00BST. To book a place, please email: admin@laurahenryallain.com.
You’re also a best-selling author, content creator and consultant working across media, education and publishing. How does My Words, My Book reflect the intersection of all those parts of your career?
My Words, My Book complements all the other areas of my work. My background is in teaching and I still deliver keynotes and training in this area. All my projects complement each other and I learn and grow in the different areas of my work.
You are the creator of JoJo and Gran Gran, the much-loved series that has had a significant impact on UK children’s television. What has it meant to you to see the way children, families and the wider industry have responded to it?
I am still overwhelmed by the reaction that I receive not just in the UK, but globally. JoJo and Gran Gran, is very personal to me, and is based on the relationship I had with my grandmother. My middle name is Josephine, hence JoJo. For JoJo and Gran Gran to be the first Black British animation is fantastic. I love receiving messages from children, parents and grandparents on how much the show means to them. The JoJo and Gran Gran team are always delighted to receive feedback – so many people were involved in making the show.
What’s your take on the current UK landscape for children’s publishing and media made by and for Black creators and communities?
There are so many talented Black creators, but we know from research by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) in its Survey of Ethnic Representation within UK Children’s Literature, that 17% of children’s books published in 2023 featured a racially minoritised character, which is a dramatic decline from previous years. However, I am sure the stats on who actually created the books is less that 17%. We need to look at whether creators are using their own experiences to develop children’s books that focus on Black characters. It is also important to note that Black creators are able to write not only about Black characters and life, but are skilled in writing across other genres including sci-fi, fantasy, action and adventure, etc.
Dr Rudine Bishop’s research Mirrors, Windows and Sliding Doors, highlights the benefits that diverse books can have for every child, irrespective of race or background. With mirrors, children see themselves in a book; they observe the lives of others through a book’s windows; and sliding doors enable them to step into the book to learn what is different to them. We need to look at how books are commissioned, how they are marketed and impactful ways to support emerging and existing Black creators. To answer the many questions I receive from those who are thinking about creating a children’s book, I created Laura, How Do I? an annual free webinar, now in its third year. To register, please email: admin@laurahenryallain.com
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
If not this, then what? I would love to do a course in floristry, I love flowers. I would love to
do this as a hobby, for family and friends’ celebrations.
What’s made you sad, mad, and glad this week? Glad – I was the MC at a primary school’s talent show. It was amazing to see such a diverse range of children showcasing their talents.
What are you watching? Forever, on Netflix.
What are you reading? Island Song by Pepsi Demacque-Crockett.
The last film you watched? Sinners.
The last play you saw? Shifters. That said, Hamilton again.
The last live music event you attended? Carol Thompson and Janet Kay.
What’s currently on your music playlist? I Love Days Like This, Shaun Escoffery (proper summer tune).
Which podcast(s) are you currently listening to? IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson.
What’s on your bucket list? To visit Ghana specifically, and generally more travelling. I have been fortunate to visit many countries linked to my work.
Where’s your happy place? My home.
Celebrate someone else, who’s doing great work right now? Trish Cooke, who deserves all the flowers as a pioneer of children’s books, that celebrate Black children and their families.
Celebrate yourself; what are you proud of? Firstly, my sons. All the books that I have written and JoJo and Gran Gran, which was the first Black British animation.
What’s next? The second book in the Maya and Marley series and more of my books to be
published. Fingers crossed my new animation series in development, Daddio & Co, will go into production.
Where can we find you? @LauraHAllain.
Where can we listen to My Words, My Book? You can watch on YouTube and listen on Apple and Spotify.