Hello, I'm Stacey. I'm the founder of Early Years Story Box and most importantly, I'm the very proud mummy of Eleni and Noah.

Growing up, I struggled at times with with my own self-esteem and often felt like I wasn't good enough, so when I became a mum I went on a mission to build my children's self-worth and to teach them values that were conducive to them living their best and most authentic life.

I massively believe that every child needs at least one person in their life who thinks that the sun rises and sets with them and I have aways wanted to be that person for my babies. I have done everything in my power to build them up and support them to be well-rounded little humans who love and accept themselves and others.

A business born from motherhood

Above everything, my children's emotional well-being has been a priority and when they were small, I started writing storybooks to support them through big life moments like leaving nursery and starting school. I know through my own personal experience that if you're facing challenging times in life, it's always easier if you know someone who has gone through the same thing and come out the other side. It somehow feels easier because you have seen that there can be a light at the end of the tunnel. I figured that characters in storybooks could be like that friend to my children and could pave the way in these uncertain times, show them what's to come and reassure them that everything will be okay.

After seeing how much these books helped my children, I had a lightbulb moment and realised that they could actually help other children too. I pitched the idea of the books being used as a welcome/leavers' gift to a few nurseries and schools and the rest, as they say, is history!

A tool to navigate parenting!

As parents we all want to instil positive values and guide our children into being well-rounded people. We also know that our children rarely listen to us and think that we know nothing so this can be no mean feat at times! After a considerably long strand off with my then 3 year old trying to get him to say sorry for whacking his sister, I decided there must be another way and wondered if the theory of storybook characters leading the way would apply to teaching my children core values too. I wasted no time and set off on a mission creating 12 new characters who each taught an important life lesson and to my utter delight and amazement, they worked a treat! In my house my daughter even calls her brother a "Sorry Sidney' (book number 11/12 in the collection) if he keeps apologising without changing his actions! I have since created 4 birthday, 4 Easter and 4 Christmas-themed books(also teaching important values and life lessons) that nurseries, childminders and parents give as gifts and a collection of books teaching children about different cultures and festivals.

Keeping children busy!

I always thought I'd be that mum who had a craft cupboard and who made wonderful models and other crafty things with their children. Turns out, despite being an illustrator, I am beyond bad at anything craft related! One day, in an attempt to keep my children entertained, I decided to play to my strengths and draw some activities and games. I printed them off and to my joy they gave my babies hours of fun! I decided that this was the way forward and created printable activities to go with every storybook I've created along with other topic-based activities so that my children had loads to choose from. These resources ended up being part of the membership on our website and are now enjoyed by many other children too.

A labour of love

I have loved every minute of creating my books and resources and feel so blessed that my business was born from my mission as a mother to nurture my babies. I hope everything I've created helps your children as much as it's helped mine and that you have lots of precious storytime moments together!