1st March 2025
BOOKMARKED STORYTELLING EVENT
Our Early Years children and Key Stage One pupils had a truly magical experience as part of the Bookmarked Story Event, a wonderful celebration of storytelling, imagination, and creativity.
Bookmarked is a mini literary festival in Thirsk, run in collaboration with White Rose BookCafé, Rural Arts, and Thirsk Community Library. As part of this event, we were fortunate to receive a storytelling workshop led by Starbright Arts, with the fantastic Elena delivering an engaging and interactive session that brought stories to life in a way that captivated our young learners.
Early Years – ‘The Cow That Laid an Egg’
Our Early Years children were enthralled by a delightful reading of The Cow That Laid an Egg by Andy Cutbill, a charming story about a cow who suddenly finds herself at the center of a surprising mystery! Elena made the experience even more immersive by incorporating Makaton signing, helping to support communication, understanding, and engagement for all children.
To bring the story to life, the children took part in story singing, imaginative play, and music, using musical eggs to create sounds and rhythms that enhanced their storytelling experience. These activities not only made the session fun but also helped to develop language skills, confidence, and social interaction, as children worked together to explore the themes of the story. The session was a perfect combination of laughter, creativity, and learning, leaving the children excited to share their experience.
Key Stage One – Secret Owl Society Sensory Storytime
Meanwhile, our Key Stage One pupils took part in an exciting Secret Owl Society Sensory Storytime, inspired by Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise by Sean Taylor. This story follows the adventures of a determined (but not always successful!) owl as he tries to hunt using clever disguises.
During the session, the children had the opportunity to explore different disguises, just like Hoot Owl, and were encouraged to think creatively about how they could blend into different environments. The highlight of the session was the creation of a pizza parachute, where children designed their own pizzas with a mix of wonderful and not-so-wonderful toppings—a fun and imaginative way to engage with the story. This hands-on, sensory activity helped to develop problem-solving skills, creativity, and teamwork, all while reinforcing the key themes of the book in an engaging and memorable way.
A Celebration of Storytelling
The Bookmarked Story Event has been a truly fantastic experience, sparking a love for books, storytelling, and creative expression among our pupils. Storytelling is such a powerful way for children to develop their language skills, expand their imagination, and build confidence, and today’s sessions provided the perfect opportunity to nurture these essential skills in a fun and interactive way.
A huge thank you to Starbright Arts, White Rose Book Café, Rural Arts, and Thirsk Community Library for making this wonderful experience possible. We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to bring enriching literary experiences to our children, and we hope they have come home excited to share their storytelling adventures with you!
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