Storytime After the Day From Hell

Michael Rosen, author of the legendary We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, wrote in the Guardian that in order to foster a love of reading, parents and teachers ‘should continue reading aloud to children well into their teens.’

Better Reading’s Mary Ryan has also written about the power of listening to stories and the impact it has on children’s ability to learn to read.

In light of this, Story Box Library comes into its own. It’s an ad-free collection of recorded stories. Many of you will already know about about it via your local library or pre-school/school, but for those who don’t, it’s definitely worth checking out.

Story Box Library boasts some of the best and most loved stories by the likes of Anna Walker, Matt Cosgrove, Sally Morgan, Deborah Abela, Alison Lester, Gwyn Perkins and Phil Cummings, read aloud on video by well-known writers/actors/comedians.  Many read their own book such as Aaron Blabey, while other story-tellers include well known performers such as Justine Clarke, Missy Higgins and Pia Miranda.

Nothing beats a family member, friend or teacher reading to the kids, but let’s face it, after a long day, reading aloud (with feeling) can be a challenge. Besides, it’s always good to offer some variety and it’s also exciting when the author of the book is reading it to you just as they intended it to be. Similar to audio books, it’s another way of engaging with a story and can inspire and spark children’s imagination.

There are over 235 titles that you can choose from and the range is suitable for preschool and primary aged children. You can subscribe directly but there is also free access available via participating libraries, so ask your local librarian for more details and visit the Story Box Library website.