Laura Henry Allain MBE

Laura Henry Allain MBE Producer, Storyteller, Educationalist & Consultant: JoJo & Gran Gran, Maya and Marley, etc. My name is Laura Henry-Allain MBE.

I inspire families around the world so that they can develop loving, meaningful and lasting relationships.

*Associate producer
*Script writer
*Children and families TV/Media/Brands/Publishing global expert

I created the characters JoJo and Gran Gran for the popular BBC CBeebies series of the same name. This renowned show is the first animation in the UK whose central characters are a black British Family.

10/07/2026

Inspiring and impactful Sunday Black British Book Festival

Book Festival, Barbican Centre

Well done Selina Brown and team.

I am supporting Dyslexia Awareness Week, especially in my role as an Ambassador for the British Dyslexia Association 202...
10/05/2026

I am supporting Dyslexia Awareness Week, especially in my role as an Ambassador for the British Dyslexia Association

2026 theme:
Dyslexia in real life: At work

This year, Dyslexia Awareness Week will focus on dyslexic adults and their experiences of work and the workplace.

Please visit British Dyslexia Association website for more information.

10/04/2026

One of my many pro bono activities.

Yesterday in Brockwell Park, Brixton with unitymatterscic

Every family received a copy of the NHS Blood Donation book that I wrote My Blood, Your Blood, illustrated by Zenovia Grant

It is community led incentive activities and experiences like this that make a difference to so many children and their families. They do not have large budgets, be sure they are having a positive impact.

Great to have support from National Literacy Trust

Ohh, wonderful to hear Winston Goode is a trustee of Unity Matters CIC. Another, unsung hero who has done amazing community work for years.

Book Quote Saturday. “Writing is not a profession it’s a calling. It’s almost holy.” ~ Jamaica Kincaid
10/03/2026

Book Quote Saturday.

“Writing is not a profession it’s a calling. It’s almost holy.”

~ Jamaica Kincaid

Such an honour to have been asked by National Book Tokens and Black British Book Festival to curate this list: 15 Childr...
10/02/2026

Such an honour to have been asked by National Book Tokens and Black British Book Festival to curate this list: 15 Childrens picture books featuring Black families.

“It is so important that every child can see themselves and their families in books and for other children to lean in and learn about positive representations of family lives. I have chosen children’s picture books written by Black authors that show Black children. My background is in Early Years education and research informs us that children’s views of others and the world around them are formed at this early stage, thus it is crucial that children have access to books that represent the global village.”

Auntie’s Bangles: A story about love and loss written by Dean Atta and illustrated by Alea

Daddy Do My Hair: Beth’s Twists written by Tọlá Okogwu and illustrated by Chanté Timothy

Dave and the Tooth Fairy written by Verna Wilkins and illustrated by

Flower Block written by Lanisha Nicole and illustrated by Hoang Giang

Grandma’s Locs written by Karen Arthur. and illustrated by Camilla Ru

Is That Your Mama? written by Patrice Lawrence and illustrated by

Kid Rex to the Rescue written by Mayo Agard-Olubo and illustrated by

John Agard’s Windrush Child written by John Agard and illustrated by Sophie Bass

Look Up written by and illustrated by dapo adeola

Luna Loves Gardening written by Joseph Coelho OBE, FRSL, Hon Fclip | Author/Poet and illustrated by fiona_lumbers

Maya & Marley and the New Friend written by Laura Henry-Allain and illustrated by Yabaewah

My Two Grandads written by and illustrated by Margaret Chamberlain

My Rice is Best written by SELINA BROWN and illustrated by -🅼𝐀𝐗-

So Much written by Trish Cooke and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

The Big Green: Everyone Can Make a Difference by Ken Wilson-Max

Please read the full piece on National Book Tokens

https://www.nationalbooktokens.com/books-to-read/15-childrens-picture-books-featuring-black-families

September you have been trouble some, with sunshine. Covid! Yes Covid! Scrumptious Lunch with my best friend for her sp...
10/02/2026

September you have been trouble some, with sunshine.

Covid! Yes Covid!

Scrumptious Lunch with my best friend for her special birthday.

Chiswick Book festival, on a panel.

Meals with family and friends.

Signing books.

Rest and rest.

Migraine.

Yoga and fitness classes.

Judge on Milkshake! TV’s “Story Den: Feature Your Teacher”, recordings went live.

Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital visit.

World Afro Day celebration.

Shoulder - Rotator cuff syndrome. Thank goodness for my A for Awesome physiotherapist MyPhysio Croydon

Speaker on Webinars.

Author visits schools and nurseries.

Podcast guest.

Bereavements.

Green light for a special project that I am working on.

NSPCC HQ, 40 year anniversary of Childline.

Come on October for the magic and love.

I was deeply saddened to hear about Esther Rantzen.Yesterday, it was a privilege to attend, as a supporter of NSPCC for ...
10/01/2026

I was deeply saddened to hear about Esther Rantzen.
Yesterday, it was a privilege to attend, as a supporter of NSPCC for many years, the ChildLine 40 Exhibition Launch at NSPCC HQ.

Like many I remember myself and my family on a Sunday evening watching the iconic That’s Life, where Esther was the outstanding host, and led many campaigns to make changes that benefited so many.

I equally remember the launch of ChildLine, as this was the beginning of my career of working with children. One of my lectures at college was a volunteer on ChildLine. I equally, remember the iconic advert with the child in the Telephone Box.

It was emotive and informative to walk around the exhibition and read all the information on the 40 years of ChildLine.

We listened intently to the Poem Hope, by Harry Baker.
I remember in Lockdown, being on a radio show with Esther, where in true Esther style she discussed another one of her heartfelt projects The Silver Line and I naturally discussed grandparents, linked to JoJo and Gran Gran.

Another one of my Sheroes Maya Angelou once mentioned, to Oprah, “It is for others to say what your legacy will be. Esther, you have left multiple legacies that will keep on having an impact on individuals worldwide.

Sending love and blessings to Esther’s family and friends.

May Esther Rest in Peace.

Walking back to the station, I saw these words of wisdom on the pavement: “It took a lot of pain to be this gentle.”

It was a pleasure to write this article for the BookTrust on: Using books to explore feelings around new experiences. “...
09/30/2026

It was a pleasure to write this article for the BookTrust on: Using books to explore feelings around new experiences.

“With my background working in Early Years, and as an author and a parent, I know that using books can be a great way to give children the tools to express how they are feeling. This is something that I thread throughout my work.…. As children are meeting new people and making friends, try reading stories about a character who is doing something similar. For instance, a story about children disagreeing with each other but finding a way to resolve things. Or stories about supporting your friends. Or being kind.”

Recommend books:

Olu’s Teacher: Jamel Carly and Lydia Mba

The Great Unicorn Rescue:

The Map of Me: and Olga Shtonda

I’m Going to Make a Friend: and Sandhya Prabhat

Maya and Marley and the New Friend: Laura Henry-Allain and Yabaewah

Please read the full article online via BookTrust

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Grove
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W106JP

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