Story Sacks enable children to develop a deeper exploration into the world of reading. They encourage fun, creative and imaginative ways in which children can take the story further and develop a wider set of skills using the additional resources.

So what is a Story Sack?

A Story Sack begins life as a very popular story book which is placed inside a cloth bag. A range of additional items and resources are then included that relate to the characters, the story or the theme of the book. The options for the additional content is endless, with only the imagination of the creator holding them back. Items could include:

• Soft toys / puppets
• Puzzles and games
• Posters and postcards
• Figurines
• Music CDs, DVDs and CD Roms
• Non-fiction books

So what Story Sacks can you borrow and use from the library?

We currently have seven Story Sacks available to borrow from Augustine House library and we have recently been working hard to make sure missing items are replaced, to allow full usage within your classroom. These include:

Spot goes to the farm

Resources

• Spot goes to the farm – (lift the flap) board book by Eric Hall
• My first farm – touch and feel book by DK
• Spot goes to the farm DVD – 55 minutes run time
• Spot at the farm peg puzzle – 5 pieces
• Who’s on the farm? puzzle – 20 pieces
• Spot the dog hand puppet

Elmer

Resources

• Elmer – book and DVD by David McKee
• Elmer and the wind – book by David McKee
• A rainbow of colors – book by Miriam Moss
• Trumpeting Elmer elephant toy – Squeeze the trunk!
• Anytime Tales DVD – 67 minutes run time, 10 stories
• Elmer wooden dominoes set
• Elmer floor puzzle – 30 pieces

Owl babies

Resources

• Owl babies – book and DVD by Martin Waddell
• Owls – book by Sarah Courtauld
• Night to day – book by Johanna Rohan
• Owl glove and finger puppets set

We’re going on a bear hunt

Resources

• We’re going on a bear hunt – book, board game and DVD by Michael Rosen
• Bears – book by Sarah Courtauld
• Bear hand puppet
• Bear finger puppet

The very hungry caterpillar

Resources

• The very hungry caterpillar – book and CD set by Eric Carle
• The very hungry caterpillar and other stories – DVD, 30 minutes run time
• The very hungry caterpillar jumbo floor puzzle – 24 pieces
• The very hungry caterpillar game
• The very hungry caterpillar card game
• Caterpillar soft toy
• Butterfly soft toy

Wibbly pig

Resources

• ‘Is it bedtime wibbly pig?’ – book and DVD by Mick Inkpen
• Wibbly pig giant double sided puzzle – 24 pieces
• Wibbly pig hand puppet
• Wibbly pig matching card game
• Take care of yourself; resting – book by Sian Smith

Rainbow fish

Resources

• Rainbow fish and the whale – book by Marcus Pfister
• Rainbow fish 1,2,3 – book by Marcus Pfister
• Rainbow fish – floor puzzle book by Marcus Pfister
• Rainbow fish – hardback book by Marcus Pfister
• Rainbow fish discovers the deep sea – book by Marcus Pfister
• Rainbow fish finger puppet
• Fishy tales – book by DK
• Fish; creature comparisons – book by Acorn

How do you go about finding and borrowing the Story sacks?

Location

All story Sacks can be found on librarysearch; All Story Sacks are kept on the second floor on the end of the moving shelving, alongside the oversized curriculum resource books.

Borrowing

It is best if you try to borrow these items during staffed hours via the library point, so that we can make sure there are no issues when attaching the Story Sacks to your account. This will also give staff the opportunity to make sure your bag is complete prior to you borrowing it.

Returning

It is best if you try and return these items during staffed hours via the library point, so that we can make sure there are no issues when removing the Story Sacks from your account. This will also give staff the opportunity to make sure all items are accounted for. We know working in a classroom can be a very hectic, busy time, so to help you we have attached a contents checklist to each Story Sack. If you encounter any problems do get in touch using the following link;

library.canterbury@canterbury.ac.uk

We hope you find the Story Sacks a useful and helpful tool for your teaching.

Why not let us know what Story Sacks you have borrowed and how you used them within the classroom?

What other Story Sacks would you like to see in the library? Do you have a favourite children’s book?

All photography by Jason Shirley – Library and Learning Resources
Featured image by Tumisu on Pixabay.