Pupils at Newfield Park Primary Academy explored the world of myths and storytelling after taking part in a live virtual event with children’s author Eric Huang, organised by BookTrust.
The session introduced pupils to Huang’s Guardians of the New Moon series, which is inspired by Chinese mythology and the legends revolving around the Chinese Lunar New Year. During the event, children discovered how traditional stories and folklore had influenced Huang’s writing and learned more about the ideas and creative processes behind his books.
The series begins with Ming and Miaow’s Great Race, which follows Miaow the cat and Ming, a magical nine-tailed fox who can transform into a human girl, as they embark on an adventure inspired by the legendary race that determined the order of the Chinese zodiac. Through their journey, the characters encounter challenges, build friendships and explore a richly imagined world rooted in ancient myths.
Huang also shared his own journey into children’s publishing and how his early fascination with legends and dragons shaped his career. As a child, he dreamed of discovering real-life dragons and later studied palaeontology at university. After finding that fieldwork did not quite match his childhood expectations, he began working in publishing, eventually building a career spanning three decades and three continents. He is now an author, podcaster and Deputy Programme Director for the Masters in Publishing programme at City St George’s, University of London.
The event was part of BookTrust’s free Virtual Author Workshops, which gives schools the opportunity to connect with writers and encourage children to develop a lifelong love of reading. BookTrust is the UK’s largest children’s reading charity, supporting millions of young people each year through reading programmes, book recommendations and resources for schools.
School Principal, Steve Payne, commented: “We know that children who develop a love of reading are given opportunities to grow in so many ways. Books help children build confidence, develop their language and understanding, explore different cultures and experiences, and use their imagination. Bringing authors into school, even virtually, helps children see the excitement behind stories and reminds them that reading isn’t just something we do in lessons, it’s something that can stay with them throughout their lives.”
Pupils at Newfield enjoyed hearing about Huang’s experiences and discovering how stories can be inspired by history, culture and imagination. The event formed part of the Academy’s wider commitment to creating a strong reading culture, helping pupils develop the skills, confidence and enjoyment that come from reading widely. This includes supporting families in building positive reading habits both at school and at home.
