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At Dover Court International School (DCIS), we believe every child has a story to tell. During Book Week 2026, one of our students showed just how far an idea can go. Year 5 student Alex gave an author talk about his newly published book, Spy at the Airport. Speaking to students in his year group, he described what it was really like to write and publish a book at just 10 years old – a process that took imagination, determination and plenty of hard work.
His talk captured what we aim to nurture at DCIS: creativity, resilience, confidence and a genuine love of learning. It also highlighted how, when students are challenged at the right level and supported every step of the way, they develop the ambition to take on exciting and achievable goals.
A Young Author Among Us: Celebrating Alex’s Creative Journey at DCIS
During Book Week 2026, our Year 5 students were treated to something truly special – an inspiring author talk delivered by one of their very own classmates. Alex, a budding writer in Year 5, took to the stage to share the story behind his newly published book, Spy at the Airport, and in doing so offered his peers a powerful message about imagination, resilience and the joy of creating something from scratch.
What unfolded was much more than a talk about writing. It became a celebration of the values we nurture at Dover Court International School: creativity, confidence, perseverance and the courage to share your voice with the world.
Creativity That Begins With a Sketch
Like many young creators, Alex’s story began with a pencil and a sketch. Inspired by comics and his favourite book Dog Man, he experimented with drawings until a character started to emerge. That character eventually became the hero of Spy at the Airport.
Alex explained that the book did not appear in a single burst of inspiration. It grew from many small ideas, lots of drawing and redrawing, and trying out different possibilities. That message landed strongly with our students. At DCIS, we encourage children to explore, take creative risks and see where their imagination might lead. Alex’s book is a clear example of what can come from that kind of environment.
Resilience in the Face of Real World Challenges
For a young writer, publishing a book is no small task. Alex shared that the hardest part wasn’t actually the writing – it was the waiting. Publishing involves many steps, and patience can be difficult when excitement is high. There were moments when Alex wondered if the process was too big, too stressful or too expensive.
But he didn’t give up.
He shared a simple piece of advice for other DCIS students:
“Try your best. Keep going even if it’s hard.”
This spirit of resilience is something we strive to build in our students every day. Seeing a Year 5 student model it so authentically was inspiring for everyone.
Finding Confidence Through Community
Before his talk, Alex admitted he was nervous. But once he began, something changed. His confidence grew, his jokes landed perfectly, and the Year 5 students joined in with questions and comments.
He even gave away signed copies of his book to students who showed strong interest during the session, a moment the audience thoroughly enjoyed.
Experiences like this help our students build confidence in real and meaningful ways. When students feel supported and celebrated, they are more willing to share their ideas, just as Alex did.
In Alex’s Own Words…
Here are a few highlights from his interview:
On his inspiration: “My favourite book, Dog Man, and my friend. I really like the simple drawings and the way the story is funny but also exciting.”
On choosing a spy story: “I was sketching ideas for the cover. I drew a spy. After that, I thought maybe the spy could be sneaking somewhere. At first, I thought maybe a museum or something underground… but I was kind of tired. So I just said, ‘Okay, let’s do Spy at the Airport.’ And that was the idea.”
On the best part of being an author: “Sharing the book with other kids and seeing what they think.”
On giving a talk at DCIS: “I was very nervous the whole morning before the presentation, and after I started, it felt really good.”
On advice to other young writers: “Keep going even if it’s hard. I almost gave up, but then I decided to keep going.”
Celebrating Creativity and Student Voice at DCIS
Alex’s author talk reminds us why we place such emphasis on creativity, storytelling and student voice at Dover Court:
We are incredibly proud of Alex – for his imagination, his dedication and his courage. His book is a wonderful achievement, and the way he shared his journey with his peers is just as impressive.
Students will soon be able to borrow the book from the DCIS library, and it’s currently available in paperback, hardcover and digital formats. Families can also follow Alex’s writing journey at www.alex-books.com.
Congratulations, Alex, and thank you for inspiring the DCIS community with your creativity and resilience. We look forward to seeing what you write next.