Our Organisers can provide personalised buying advice, the opportunity to receive free books and free delivery when shopping at an online party.

I prefer to shop direct with Usborne

On this website you can browse and buy Usborne books in English, French, German, Spanish, Catalan, Italian, Dutch, Korean and Brazilian Portuguese.

In the UK and Europe, you can buy directly from Usborne or from an Independent Usborne Books at Home Organiser. In the USA you can buy books via links to Usborne Books & More, the website of our US distributors.

Elsewhere in the world we provide links to local online retailers who will fulfil and deliver your order. Please check the retailer’s delivery destinations to make sure they deliver where you are.

Children’s Publisher of the Year 2020

Creative writing

Creative writing

Activities to support children's creative writing. 

Here are some activities that will help to spark your child's imagination when it comes to creative writing. There are exercises to create interesting characters, stories, letters, comics and poems and they can even design the cover for their bestseller!

Planning a story

All good stories need a good idea. Here are some story starters.
  • Planning your story
    Planning your story
    Get your story going with this quick plotting sheet. Who's your main character? What is the setting? How does it end?
    Age: 7+ years
    Download
    View book: Write and Draw Your Own Comics
  • Create a character
    Create a character
    Turn this stick figure into a character by adding clothes and accessories. Fill in the blanks in the thoughts and speech bubbles, too.
    Age: 7+ years
    Download
    View book: Write and Draw Your Own Comics
  • Make your mind wander
    Make your mind wander
    Try writing a story, article or poem about this picture.
    Age: 7+ years
    Download
    View book: Creative Writing Book
  • Creating characters
    Creating characters
    Fill in these profiles to bring the protagonist of your ghost story to life.
    Age: 7+ years
    Download
  • Finding ideas for your story
    Finding ideas for your story
    Feeling stuck? Try borrowing a character from a book or film, and add new traits to make it your own.
    Age: 7+ years
    Download
  • Story pick and mix
    Story pick and mix
    Choose three cards, then make up your own story with them.
    Age: 7+ years
    Download
    View book: My First Story Writing Book

Poems and letters

Here are some different methods of writing: interviews, poems and letters.
  • What is poetry?
    What is poetry?
    Lots of people have some ideas about what poetry can be... but the truth is, nobody has a final answer...
    Age: 7+ years
    Download
    View book: Write Your Own Poems
  • Ridiculous rhymes and ludicrous limericks
    Ridiculous rhymes and ludicrous limericks
    It can be a lot of fun thinking up amusing rhymes, or give a silly, bizarre description of a person in a limerick.
    Age: 7+ years
    Download
    View book: Write Your Own Poems
  • Write an interview
    Write an interview
    Ask your family for an interview – or make up an interview with a fictional character such as Sleeping Beauty!
    Age: 7+ years
    Download
    View book: Write and Design Your Own Magazines

Comics and cartoons

Draw funny stories with these comic strip activities.

Design a cover

All great pieces of writing need an eye-catching title and cover. Here's how to design yours.

Online story writing videos and activities

Watch carefully chosen videos about creative writing. Meet a girl who wants to be a writer, transform yourself into a fairytale character on which to base your story, or write 'The Book of Me'. Here is a selection of Usborne Quicklinks all about creative writing and story starters. 

Discover the Quicklinks

Write-in activity books for stealth learning

These write-in activity books are packed with engaging activities on topics from maps to measuring – the kids won't even know they're doing schoolwork!
See all activity books