Growing up, I found reading aloud incredibly difficult. I often felt nervous, self-conscious, and unsure of myself, and those feelings stayed with me for a long time. Even simple moments like reading in class or speaking in front of a group could feel overwhelming.
Share My Story
Later, in my career as an NNEB nursery nurse and Montessori teacher, I had to face that challenge every day. Storytime became an important part of my role and, although I loved working with children, I understood how much courage it could take just to begin reading aloud. Over time, I worked hard to build my confidence, but I never forgot how it felt to struggle with those feelings of nervousness and self-doubt.
Even as a mum of four, I understand just how important those shared storytime moments are. They help build connection, spark imagination, and support a child’s development — but I also know that for some parents and carers, they can feel daunting. Not everyone feels naturally confident reading aloud, and that’s okay.
It was through this journey that the idea of Woof Books was born.
Storytime should never feel pressured or overwhelming. It should feel enjoyable, relaxed, and filled with opportunities to laugh, interact, and explore stories together.
I wanted to create something that would gently take the pressure away from the person reading and make storytime feel more relaxed, natural, and enjoyable. Something that would support confidence, not just for children, but for adults too.
That idea became the foundation of Woof Books UK and the interactive storytelling approach behind Bert and Betsie. By combining books, puppets, and expressive storytelling, storytime becomes more playful, engaging, and shared, encouraging participation without the fear of getting things wrong. Instead, the focus shifts towards connection, imagination, creativity, and simply enjoying stories together.
That’s where Bert and Betsie came in — two lovable characters inspired by two real dogs, created to help shift the focus towards play, imagination, and connection. By bringing them into storytime through books and plush hand puppets, the attention naturally moves away from the reader and onto the characters, helping storytelling feel more relaxed, interactive, and engaging for everyone involved.
Instead of worrying about reading perfectly, children and adults are encouraged to join in with the story, use their imagination, express emotions, and enjoy the experience together. Bert and Betsie help create a playful storytelling environment where confidence can grow naturally through participation, creativity, and shared experiences.
Summary
At the heart of Woof Books UK is a simple belief — storytime should feel relaxed, playful, and enjoyable for everyone. Through Bert and Betsie’s adventures, we hope to create storytelling experiences that build confidence, encourage imagination, and bring children and adults together through shared moments and meaningful connection.
Explore Our Collection
Discover the magic of storytelling with Bert and Betsie.
Shop our full range of books and puppets.