Spark creativity with BBC 500 Words

Sign up for FREE today using the form at the bottom of this page.

About the event

Join us for a free, interactive and exciting event in partnership with BBC 500 Words. In this workshop, children will have the chance to hear from author and illustrator duo Charlie Higson and Nadia Shireen - experts in story creation! Presenter and children's media personality Evie Pickerill, best known as one of the main faces of CBeebies, will also be hosting the event.

This event is targeted at children aged 5 to 7 years (KS1/ year one and year two), but if you feel that an older class would still benefit, we welcome sign-ups from older ages.

Those who are home-educated are also welcome to join us! Simply write 'Home Education' when signing up below. Please note that the competition is open to 5 to 11 year olds.

During the event, pupils will have the opportunity to:

• Get inspired to write their entries!
• Learn tips and tricks to get started with creative writing
• Take part in a live Q&A with Charlie and Nadia

About the competition

BBC 500 Words, the UK’s biggest children’s story competition, runs from Tuesday 23 September to Friday 7 November 2025. Children can write a story they’d love to read in 500 words or less. There's no spelling or grammar rules! It's all about creativity. And there are some brilliant prizes up for grabs! 50 brilliant finalists will be invited to a glittering grand final - hosted by none other than Her Majesty The Queen herself. Any schools with 50% free school meals (or higher) that submit entries will receive a £75 National Book Token. There's lots more, including a random draw to win a ticket to the final, bundles of books, literacy wall art and 500 books for your school library.

For more details visit the 500 Words website: bbc.co.uk/teach/500-words

About Charlie Higson

Charlie Higson is a bestselling author, actor, comedian and TV writer, best known for his Young Bond and The Enemy series, which have sold over a million copies. He has also written for grown-ups, including crime novels and a James Bond adventure, On His Majesty’s Secret Service. His books for younger readers include Worst. Holiday. Ever., Worst. Superhero. Ever., and his first picture book What’s That Noise?, illustrated by Nadia Shireen.

About Nadia Shireen

Nadia Shireen is an award-winning author and illustrator, celebrated as one of the 'best and brightest picture book creators working in Britain today' (The Observer). Her debut Good Little Wolf won the UKLA Book Award, and her much-loved books include The Bumblebear, Billy and the Beast and Barbara Throws a Wobbler. Nadia’s work has been shortlisted for numerous prizes, and her stories are adored by children, families and teachers alike.

About Evie Pickerill

Evie Pickerill has spent years inspiring young audiences through stories, performance and play on CBeebies, CBBC and Blue Peter, becoming a trusted and much-loved figure for families across the UK. Her passion for storytelling has taken her from performing in CBeebies’ Christmas and Shakespeare productions to major UK events and festivals, including Glastonbury and hosting at Hay Festival. She also recently launched Eve Asks..., her British Podcast Award-nominated series helping children explore emotions through play and mindfulness, alongside CBeebies House: Time To Play on YouTube and iPlayer. A proud ambassador for Place2Be and Children with Cancer UK, Evie is dedicated to championing children’s wellbeing. Warm, engaging and full of energy, she is the perfect host to celebrate the power of children’s words and imagination at BBC 500 Words.

Technical considerations

This event will be hosted on Zoom webinar, but we will also be livestreaming the event to YouTube. If you cannot attend at the live time, please continue to register below to receive the recording link via email. As an attendee, you'll be able to chat with Charlie, Nadia, Eve and the National Literacy Trust - but you won't be able to switch on your camera or unmute yourself. You do not need to download Zoom to access this event.

If you have any questions, please contact connecting.stories@literacytrust.org.uk