Comedian and bestselling children’s author Adam Kay hosted joyous storytelling sessions while visiting sick children at Northwick Park Hospital, London, as part of the tour for his new children’s book, Dexter Procter and the Case of the Disappearing Doctor.
Starlight Stories
Author and comedian Adam Kay brings stories and silliness to young patients in hospital
Demystifying healthcare for young readers
Alongside illustrator Henry Paker, former doctor Kay put a smile on young patients’ faces by handing out signed copies of the second book in his Dexter Procter series. Aimed at readers aged seven and up, the Dexter Procter series, featuring a child genius who becomes a doctor aged ten, aims to demystify healthcare and hospitals for young readers.
Image: Henry Paker shows the Dexter Proctor books to a young patient by his bedside
The visit combines two causes close to Adam’s heart: the importance of reading in childhood (particularly in his role as ambassador for the National Year of Reading 2026), as well as Starlight’s mission to put play at the heart of every child’s healthcare experience. Adam and Starlight both believe that it is vital that hospitalised children have access to reading and stories to help reduce their fears, stress and boredom.
'Celebrating the work of Starlight and their brilliant Play Champions'
“Hospitals can be very scary and lonely places for patients of any age, but especially children, who might never have been away from home before. Reading and playing are so important, not just to have fun, but to fire up the imagination, bring people together, and help communicate how you’re really feeling. And it’s quite good at taking your mind off the lumps in your mashed potato at lunch.
As an Ambassador for the National Year of Reading, an author and dad, and, to be honest, a big kid myself, I’m delighted to help celebrate the work of Starlight and their brilliant Play Champions. Their activities allow children to be children even during the toughest of times. Fingers crossed they’re working on the mashed potato too.” - Adam Kay
Image: hospital play team member Jalpaben Gohil and Director of Health Play in Healthcare at Stralight Laura Walsh join in with the session
As well as the play sessions, Adam, Henry and Puffin are supporting the work of Starlight by donating signed copies of Dexter Procter and The Case of the Disappearing Doctor to the children they met and creating online resources for frontline healthcare professionals across the UK, which coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week, 11 to 17 May, and are designed to help teams working to support young patients’ mental health and wellbeing.
Cathy Gilman, Chief Executive of Starlight, said: “We’re thrilled to work with Adam and Henry to help bring about our mission to put play at the heart of every child’s healthcare. Children feel a huge range of emotions in hospital when facing daunting and invasive procedures or being away from everything that is familiar to them. Laughter is often the best medicine. After seeing Adam and Henry with the children, high doses should be prescribed to everyone.”
Image: Adam Kay and Henry Paker with hospital staff, including the play team