Galactic Godzillas, underwater worlds and a monstrous creature made of telephone wires are among the stories imagined by around 300 children in Hackney as part of a national creative writing project.
The workshops were hosted by the Ministry of Stories, a Hackney-based organisation that supports children and young people to develop their writing and storytelling skills.
The children took part in sessions at the Ministry’s new home on Kingsland Road, contributing ideas to The Story that Moves, a giant, 1.5-metre-high book designed to celebrate children’s imaginations and encourage a love of reading.
The book has now moved on from Hackney as it continues its tour of creative venues across the UK, gathering story ideas from children along the way.
Participants from Hoxton Garden Primary School, Morningside Primary School and the Ministry of Stories’ regular programmes invented characters, settings and challenges for their stories.
Wired up
In one session, a wind-up telephone provided the inspiration for a story in which telephone wires led all the way to a beach, where a monstrous creature made of wires awaited.
Other creations included stories set in underwater worlds and “mangoland”, as well as galactic Godzillas going on adventures. Children also invented a pair of twins and an invisible character who was also a talented dancer.
Rob Smith, director of the Ministry of Stories, told the Hackney Citizen: “One of my favourite things is seeing young writers who don’t normally collaborate actually working together and hatching up these brilliant stories.”
Smith said the Ministry of Stories’ workshops offer children the opportunity to connect through creative activities in a screen-free environment.
He added that the sessions brought children together to read, write and collaborate in person, at a time when he believes opportunities for face-to-face interaction are particularly important.
Nationwide tour
The Ministry of Stories is one of nine creative organisations involved in The Story that Moves, which is travelling between venues around the UK. Each stop adds new characters, settings and plot ideas to the growing collection.
Children’s author Piers Torday said the project could help young people develop confidence, empathy and a sense of belonging.
The tour is due to continue until April 2027, when the completed artwork will find a permanent home.
The project will also produce a published book allowing readers to combine the story elements contributed by children across the country to create their own tales.
Funded and supported by Arts Council England, the initiative forms part of the National Year of Reading 2026.
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