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Sharing and exploring books during the MotMC

2026-05-22T13:00:52+00:00

During the Month of the Military Child we sent children at Carnagill School a bundle of books to review. They have been AMAZING at telling us what they thought about the books and we’ve loved hearing their reviews. In this blog, Sarah Bradshaw talks about  Reading Force at Carnagill: Stories That Brought Us Together During the Month of the Military Child, Carnagill School was incredibly grateful to receive a parcel of books from Reading Force to review—and what a moment it was when it arrived. The excitement of opening the parcel was immediate and infectious. Pupils [...]

Sharing and exploring books during the MotMC 2026-05-22T13:00:52+00:00

Alison Baverstock on Dyslexia

2026-05-19T11:54:55+00:00

I always feel I am onto something when related ideas come at me from different directions. Of late, this has been the case with dyslexia. Every child or young adult who registers with Reading Force receives both a book and an RF scrapbook or teen journal. We match books to children’s reading ages and special educational needs, and in the process have found ourselves sending a lot of titles to children with dyslexia. Parents and carers in the RF community are routinely surprised to find out that books to support those with dyslexia do exist. [...]

Alison Baverstock on Dyslexia 2026-05-19T11:54:55+00:00

Why Running the London Marathon Was a Dream Come True

2026-05-12T09:20:08+00:00

How running in aid of Reading Force made the journey even more meaningful for Becca Clark. For as long as I can remember, the idea of running the London Marathon has sparkled at the back of my mind like a distant, glittering finish line. I’ve watched the event on TV every April, marvelling at the thousands who pounded the city’s pavements with such resolve and heart, secretly hoping one day I’d be among them. This year, that dream finally came true—and the experience meant more to me than I ever could have imagined. From the [...]

Why Running the London Marathon Was a Dream Come True 2026-05-12T09:20:08+00:00

The Story Behind Dande-Lion Diaries

2026-05-05T11:26:06+00:00

We’re delighted to introduce Elise Norris, the creator of Dande-Lion books. Here she tells us why she wanted to publish personalised books for tri-service military children… Can you tell us what led you to create the Dande-Lion Diary books? I created our first personalised deployment book for our son, Alfie, in 2022. His dad was about to be deployed over his second birthday on a three-month exercise, and I wanted to ensure Alfie could understand where his dad was and feel reassured about his return. My professional background includes a decade of supporting children and [...]

The Story Behind Dande-Lion Diaries 2026-05-05T11:26:06+00:00

Q&A with award-winning children’s author Tom Palmer

2026-02-19T15:25:25+00:00

Tom has worked with Reading Force for over ten years and we’re really happy that he is also a patron of Reading Force. He has written children’s books set in the British Army (Over the Line), Royal Navy (Arctic Star) and Royal Air Force (Spitfire). Tom’s series Rugby Academy is about a school where most of the characters are service children. He works with Forces families to get the facts right. For over ten years you’ve been a wonderful advocate for Reading Force, and now we’re lucky to have you as [...]

Q&A with award-winning children’s author Tom Palmer 2026-02-19T15:25:25+00:00

TELL US A STORY 2025 Memoir Writing Competition Adult Winners

2026-01-30T11:25:58+00:00

We would like to say a very big thank you to everyone who entered our Memoir Writing Competition. We were awestruck by your entries, the experiences and lives you’ve lived, enjoyed, survived, and captured in words. Thank you for trusting us with your stories and chapters. It has been very difficult to choose a winner, so much so, that the judges have chosen TWO winners! We are thrilled to announce that Catherine Williams and Julian Allen have won, and their memoirs will be published by Pen & Sword books – congratulations to both! Catherine’s book is about her [...]

TELL US A STORY 2025 Memoir Writing Competition Adult Winners 2026-01-30T11:25:58+00:00

An evening with Clive Myrie

2026-04-21T09:30:42+00:00

"Separation is a fact of life for many military families, but stories and books offer a shared experience, no matter how far away loved ones might be. That's why I'm proud to support Reading Force." An opportunity to hear Clive Myrie’s story, ask questions, and read his acclaimed autobiography Everything is Everything. Wednesday 18th March 6:00-8:00pm £40.00 per ticket – includes a copy of Clive’s autobiography, Everything is Everything, and a drink on arrival. Victory Services Club, 63-79 Seymour Street, London W2 2HF THIS EVENT HAS TAKEN PLACE This unique event offers the opportunity [...]

An evening with Clive Myrie 2026-04-21T09:30:42+00:00

Q&A with Terry, Reading Force Senior Ambassador

2026-01-19T10:50:11+00:00

We're thrilled to welcome our fabulous new team member, Terry Stuart. Here Terry shares her military family experience, and why books are her “portable home.” You have experienced several perspectives on military family life – can you tell us a little about your military links?  I grew up as a military daughter and have been a military wife for over 30 years, so I’ve lived the rhythms of Armed Forces life from both sides; packing up homes, navigating new schools, and finding our feet in each posting. Those transitions and separations taught me the resilience and resourcefulness that service families embody, and they’re a [...]

Q&A with Terry, Reading Force Senior Ambassador 2026-01-19T10:50:11+00:00

May Reading Force go from strength to strength

2026-01-08T10:28:10+00:00

Elizabeth, Lady Kitson is the founder of the Federation of Army Wives. We were delighted to receive this from her – commenting on the value of Reading Force I would like to congratulate Reading Force for its excellence and achievement – it’s a wonderful concept. I have been an Army daughter and an Army wife, and I know how important communications are when families are separated by deployments and constant moves. In the war, my mother and I were thrilled whenever we got a letter from my father. We always wrote and told him everything we [...]

May Reading Force go from strength to strength 2026-01-08T10:28:10+00:00

Reasons not to run a marathon by Alison Baverstock  

2025-12-12T15:45:12+00:00

Reading Force has two runners taking part in the 2026 event on behalf of our charity. Lizzie Jones, Operations Director of the Supacat Group (one of our sponsors) and living in Devon, and Becca Clark, military partner with long-term ambitions to be a SEND specialist. Becca is currently living in Aldershot, home of Reading Force, having moved there from Northern Ireland earlier this year. Both have two children and have long had running a London Marathon on their personal bucket list. We recently held a planning meeting, to talk about how to promote their involvement, and [...]

Reasons not to run a marathon by Alison Baverstock   2025-12-12T15:45:12+00:00