Laura Henry Allain MBE

Today is UNICEF’s International Day of Play.

A year ago today in the House of Commons:

“The Raising the Nation Play Commission, a year-long independent inquiry into why play is critical to the wellbeing of children published its final report, “Everything to Play For: A Plan to Ensure Every Child in England Can Play.”

Every child must have the right to play, irrespective of their background and geography.

Maya and Marley are naturally playing today!

Yesterday I had an online meeting with and colleagues form the community team of and , regarding the book My Blood, Your Blood (Sickle Cell and Blood Donation, children’s picture book) that I wrote and illustrated by the awesome .to.paper . Incidentally, it is National Blood Week.

As some of you know, I had 10 units of blood 15 years ago and this saved my life, after I had major surgery, which went wrong and caused me to haemorrhage. which resulted in an emergency surgery and receiving the 10 units of blood.

As a result, I connected with NHS Blood. In 2016, in partnership with the MOBOs and Kanya King CBE, they developed the Represent campaign and supported the B Positive Choir.

One of the events was at the House of Commons, and I shared with Kanya my story, and she listened with passion and empathy.

I remember the wise words of Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

It is evident that Kanya, had a special gift on leaving people, feeling seen and heard.

My thoughts and prayers are with kanya’s family, friends and colleagues.

May she rest in peace.

I am super excited to be joining the UK Lucian Family Day: I will be sharing stories, leading an activity, and signing books!

Come out and enjoy a day full of vibes, community and culture at our annual park get together.

5 -A-Side Family Tournament
The Domino Championship
Music
Games and activities
Food and vendors
Family fun and great energy all day long

Olympic Park, Stratford, Hopkins Field, E20 3AX

Sunday 28th June 2026

12:00pm – 6:00pm

FREE general entry

*Please register to attend.. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfUszZRc7FvKlvk5L4aXhAi9jYogCT6siXjFFJMDxpeOvYODQ/viewform?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPMTI0MDI0NTc0Mjg3NDE0AAGngx_vV1XBkUtqysNOe046BrVA93oQc9K4xRS9nDSq_y-JCeXLLEmEpbPBn0o_aem_zHf6oKQwAyvEBcrOjBMNMQ

World Refugee Day

Saturday June 26th

Children’s books and children’s TV

Enough time to loan from a library and/or purchase

Boy Everywhere .m.dassu

Questions and Answers about Refugees

Refugee Boy

The Boy at the Back of the Class

The Power of Welcome Marie Bamyani

The Cheat Book Vol 1

Saving the Butterfly

My name is not refugee

Welcome

Refugee Stories via

Currently in Birmingham!

Book tour locations thus far.

If you would like an authors’ visit and/or keynote, in your area please let me know.

Thank you so much London Borough of Hounslow for the write up on my visit.

Marjory Kinnon School, is amazing!

Here is the link to purchase the book: https://afroribooks.co.uk/products/maya-marley-and-the-new-friend-by-laura-mbe-henry-allain

Celebrated children’s author and creator of the Maya and Marley series of books (also featured as a Cbeebies show), Laura Henry Allain MBE, visited Marjory Kinnon School in Bedfont this week for a reading of her new book Maya and Marley and the New Friend published by Ladybird Books

Laura has a special relationship with Marjory Kinnon after a previous visit and has dedicated the book to all the children at the school.

She conducted an online and in-person reading.

Go All In 2026

Book Quote Saturday:

“A book launch can be anywhere! Including markets.”

~ Laura Henry-Allain

See you all soon!

We will be in front of, and opposite, Portobello Green/Cambridge Gardens.