Creating the world of a book in a story box

Here’s how you can create the world of a book in a story box in your setting or classroom.

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)
• Favourite picture books

A Rainforest/Jungle themed shoe box by Oliver Parry

Method:

1. Gather and organise the materials with the children.
2. Read a book which has a least one strong setting for the children to imagine and visualise.
3. Encourage the children to agree on the setting from the book that they will create inside the box.
4. Ask pairs to make a plan and gather the resources they need.
5. Giving question prompts may help the children to visualise their end product. How will the box look on the outside? Will it provide a clue to the scene inside?
6. Ask pairs or groups of children to collaborate to create their story box world.
7. Give time for children to play with their story box world, re-enacting events from the book or creating new scenes or stories.

Bruce and the 3 Lizards story shoe box inspired by Goldilocks and the 3 Bears. By Oliver Parry

Why not create ‘themed’ small worlds in a shoe box too, or events such as The Great Fire of London to help with learning and discussions in class:

The Great Fire of London in a shoe box by Oliver Parry, aged 7.

Book recommendations that we know story boxes work well with:

EYFS

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
• Biscuit Bear by Mini Grey

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

For more inspiration on books for story boxes please take a look at our book packs here.