Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family
I’m Kate, founder of Kate Phipps Writes. I write bespoke poetry and poetry prints for people, places and events from my studio in East Sussex. I have two children a daughter of 7 and a son of 6.
What are your children’s favourite books?
My children are starting to extend their reading range now that they can read on their own, but two books we always return to, which we have been reading since they were small are “Rosie Revere, Engineer” by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts and “Marshall Armstrong is new to our school” by David Mackintosh.
My daughter was fascinated by the idea in “Rosie Revere” that girls could step outside of the world of fairies and flowers into engineering. It sparked some hilarious chats between my son and daughter about what boys and girls can do.
We have been reading Marshall Armstrong since they were babies, I think it actually came free in a Book Start bag. It is a really lovely tale of a boy who is a bit different and accepting the differences between us. They absolutely loved the illustrations and the little details.
Which book do you most like reading to them and why?
My favourite book to read to them is “When I was born” by Isabel Minhós Martins and Madalena Matoso. It was the first present my daughter was given when she was born and it is about the beauty in the small details of life. I read it to them (and me!) even now to ground us all and to remind them (and me!) how lucky we are to have every moment of every day. The illustrations are really beautiful too. Every time I read it takes me back to the first night we were home from the hospital when I cried happy, hormonal tears reading it to our daughter. I hope to keep it safe for years to come.
Who is your favourite children’s author and why?
I really love Chris Riddell. I think his stories and his illustrations are so beautiful and relevant to our children today. I was part of a team that raised funds to completely renovate our school library and Chris Riddell came to open it. Seeing 91 little faces absolutely captivated by an author telling stories was a really wonderful experience he is so passionate about the role of reading in our kids lives and the plight to save the local libraries.
What do you look for when shopping for a new book for your child?
I look for layers, I like stories that interweave subtle messages. I think this is a really wonderful way of introducing things like mental health and empowerment into our children’s lives. My mother was a librarian for many years so I grew up between the bookshelves, books are such a wonderful way of escaping from the world. I studied Graphic Design at Uni so a good illustration is also key.
Do you have a favourite children’s bookshop? What makes them great?
“Ottie and the Bea” on Old Dover Road in London. Amazing author events, a really unique range and a bookshop environment that is the stuff of childhood dreams.
About Kate Phipps Writes
Sometimes finding the right words is a struggle. From pivotal moments in life to smaller, more intimate ones there are occasions when saying it right really matters.
Kate Phipps Writes creates beautiful bespoke one off poetry commissions and original art prints (or “words to go”) for just such moments.
We want to empower you to tell your story.
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