A vibrant storytelling initiative has been launched at Battersea Power Station, where more than 80 schoolchildren gathered to kick off “A Station of Stories,” a year-long programme promoting literacy as part of the National Year of Reading 2026.
Students from St George’s Church of England Primary School, St Mary's RC Primary School, and Chesterton Primary School took part in the opening event, arriving in creative handmade costumes inspired by characters from the popular Mr Men Little Miss series. The event was designed to inspire imagination while encouraging children to develop a love for reading.
The programme features a variety of storytelling activities developed with publishing partner HarperCollins and brand owner Sanrio. Highlights include an interactive character trail across the power station complex, where children can search for hidden characters from the Mr Men Little Miss universe.
Visitors also enjoyed live “draw-along” sessions with series author and illustrator Adam Hargreaves, along with engaging read-along storytelling sessions designed to bring the well-known characters to life.
As part of the initiative, Battersea Power Station will donate hundreds of children’s books to nearby schools to support literacy development within the local community.
According to Sarah Banham, head of community and sustainability at Battersea Power Station, the event reflects the development’s broader commitment to community engagement.
She noted that the enthusiastic participation from pupils on World Book Day demonstrates the value of creative learning experiences that bring families and schools together.
From March 5 to March 8, visitors can explore a themed Mr Men Little Miss trail throughout the building. Participants who locate all eight hidden characters will receive a special gift from Waterstones.
Additional in-store activities are also being hosted across the retail spaces at the power station. These include themed activity sheets at Where The Pancakes Are and bookmark-making workshops organised by Moleskine.
Hargreaves said supporting reading initiatives remains central to the legacy of the series created by his father, Roger Hargreaves. For more than five decades, the colourful characters have introduced generations of children to the joy of reading through short and engaging stories.
Campaign director David Hayman added that initiatives like “A Station of Stories” help communities reconnect with the simple pleasure of books. Through shared reading experiences, families can rediscover classic stories while inspiring the next generation to develop lifelong reading habits.
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