Here’s how you can create the world of a book in a story box i.

You will need:

• Shoe boxes or small boxes recycled after deliveries!
• Decorative and collage accessories, junk/recycled materials
• Drawing materials and paints
• Small figures, animals or characters and small world accessories (can be found or made)

Method:

1. Choose a book that has a least one strong setting for your child to imagine and visualise.
2. After reading the book, talk about the different settings that you learn about. Where do the characters go? What do you find out?
3. How will the box look on the outside? Will it provide a clue to the scene inside?
4. Gather and organise a range of different materials that your child might want to use.
5. Get busy creating your story setting boxes!
6. Give time for children to play with their story box world, re-enacting events from the book or creating new scenes or stories.

Book recommendations that we know story boxes work well with:

EYFS

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
• We're Going on a Bear Hunt
• The Gruffalo

Year 1/2

• Man on the moon (a day in the life of Bob) by Simon Bartram
• The Great Explorer by Chris Judge

Year 3/4

• Leon and the Place Between by Angela McAllister
• Goth Girl and the Ghost of a Mouse by Chris Riddell

Year 5/6

• The Borrowers by Mary Norton
• Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce