Firstly, May is National Share-a-Story month and this year’s theme is “A Feast of Stories.”
What is National Share a Story Month 2024?
Generally, National Share a Story Month takes place every year throughout the month of May to celebrate the power of storytelling. Also, events and competitions take place across the UK to actively engage children centred on a new theme. This year focuses on a celebration of food and feasts that we find in stories. It gives opportunities to look at stories that describe food using the senses: smell, taste, texture, temperature, etc.
How did it start?
You may not know that Share-a-Story Month was started by The Federation of Children’s Book Groups in the 1960s. The purpose of it was to encourage children to read more. We all know that reading has never been more important, given the research regarding better academic outcomes. So, if you are an Early Years supply teacher, Primary supply teacher or a supply T.A. you can get involved in supporting children to read more through share a story month.
Classic stories for National Share a Story month
Here is a list of classic stories that have a feast scene or creatively use food as part of National Share a Story Month.
- The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr
- Nabil Steals a Penguin by Nishani Reed & Junissa Bianda
- The Tale of Two Bad Mice by Beatrix Potter
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
- Just William by Richmal Crompton.
- Matilda by Roald Dahl
- Five Get Into Trouble by Enid Blyton
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling
- Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (its buttering bread but worth the read!)
- The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by CS Lewis
Activities
Another way to ignite pupils’ imaginations is to consider the Harry Potter stories as most have feast and eating scenes. In addition, a particular creative food thread that runs through all of them is sweets. Chocolate Frogs, Peppermint Toads, Acid Pops, and Fudge Flies are just a few. However, Elephant on a bicycle is one that makes you sound like an animal. Why not invite pupils to invent their own sweet; colour, texture, taste, the name of it and if it has a special power.
To find out more about National share-a-story month, resources, booklists, and competitions based on the theme click here.
To find out about Children’s book club events locally, click here.
Encourage parents to be involved.
National Share a Story Month is a great way to encourage parents to read any time with their child whatever their age. You could remind them if their child wants to read the same book again, its ok and that its important they find a book they like. Additionally, you could suggest they check with their child their understanding of the story and any words they don’t understand.
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