Youngsters hear stories of adventure and beetles at Black Country school as World Book Day returns
It was a day for youngsters to learn about heroes, villains, eco-warriors and beetles as a popular author came to a Wolverhampton school as part of the annual global celebration of books.
Wolverhampton Grammar School was the setting on February 27 for an interactive talk from author Maya Gabrielle, better known as M.G. Leonard, a children's literature author known for blending adventure and ecological themes, whose pen name fulfils a promise made to her eldest son and who is recognized for her critically acclaimed Beetle Boy.
The event saw children from Bilbrook Middle School, Brewood Middle School, Manor Primary School, Merridale Primary School, Penn Fields and Perton Middle School join children from the Grammar School in the Big School.
It saw Maya share her love of beetles, saying that she had previously been scared of all insects, but now loved them and kept exotic beetles as pets, then take the youngsters on a journey through her book "The Impossible Gladiator", a story which sees the characters Sim, Jeopardy and Nelson travel to ancient Rome in search of a long-lost illusionist.
She also chatted with the pupils afterwards and posed for photos, with plenty of copies of her books from the Time Keys series for the youngsters to take home to read.
A spokeswoman for Wolverhampton Grammar School said: "We were thrilled to welcome M. G. Leonard into School today to launch our World Book Day 2026 celebrations with a wonderful presentation on 'The Impossible Gladiator', the third book in her absorbing 'Time Keys' series of historical adventures.
"After sharing in Maya's love of beetles, students enjoyed a guided tour of Tutankhamun's tomb; saw, but fortunately did not hear, the Gjallarhorn of Norse mythology; and immersed themselves fully in the gladiatorial combat of Ancient Rome.
"Thank you to Maya for a fantastic afternoon; to Macmillan kids UK Children's Books for partnering with us for this event; and to Bilbrook Middle School, Brewood Middle School, Manor Primary School, Merridale Primary School; Penn Fields and Perton Middle School for joining us in Big School."
The event was the latest in a long line of World Book Day events held by Wolverhampton Grammar School, with previous speakers including Jodie Ounsley (also known as Fury from Gladiators) and Lucy Hawking.
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