In today’s world, one of the greatest gifts you can give a child is a love of reading… and letting them fall in love with it, at their own pace. Research shows that children who start reading early not only perform better in school but also develop strong cognitive and social skills. In this blog, we’ll explore the importance of early reading, why it’s essential for young children, and how you can use our Storytime resources and the new Early Reading Stars pack to help your child grow into a confident reader.

The early years of a child’s life are crucial for brain development. Reading to young children stimulates their imaginations and helps them understand the world around them. Children who are exposed to books and storytelling from a young age have a head start in language acquisition and develop their vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension skills. It’s not just about reading words, either! They learn how to understand concepts, cultivate curiosity, and acquire critical thinking skills.

When children engage with stories, they begin to recognise patterns in language and learn how to express their thoughts. This early exposure sets them up for success, not just in reading but across all subjects. Picture the joy on your child’s face when they decode their first word or understand the plot of a story – they’re not just learning to read; they’re learning to think for themselves!

Engaging Children with Storytime

One of the best ways to nurture early literacy is through daily storytelling. Listening to a tale is far from a passive activity; it’s an interactive experience where children engage with characters, settings, and ideas. When parents or caregivers read stories aloud, children hear how words are pronounced and how sentences flow. This helps them grasp the structure of language long before they start reading independently.

Storytime provides a collection of fun and educational stories designed to inspire young minds. Whether it’s tales of animals on exciting adventures or relatable stories about everyday life, each one helps children connect with the world through words. Our stories also introduce children to new vocabulary in a playful way, so they learn without even realising it. Try adding reading out loud to your child’s bedtime routine and watch how their eyes light up when it’s time to dive into a new story!

Introducing the Early Reading Stars Pack

We understand that every child learns at their own pace, and that’s why we created the Early Reading Stars pack – a toolkit full of exciting activities and ideas to get your child engaged with reading. The pack is specifically designed to make early literacy fun and accessible for young children, encouraging them to explore words, letters, and stories in an interactive way.

Inside the Early Reading Stars pack, you’ll find:

• Games and activities that make learning and literacy fun.
• Tips for parents reading to young children. By using these ideas and techniques, you will be able to tell a tale in a way that will have your little ones spellbound!
• Questions and quizzes that that will stimulate young minds and help children to engage with the stories they hear.
• Word Spotting: by asking young listeners to call out when a certain word is mentioned in a tale, you increase their engagement and focus!
• Emotion Bingo! By getting children to notice when different characters experience different feelings, you are helping them to develop emotional literacy as well!
• Let Them Be the Author! Kids can create stories as well as reading them! Why not help them to create a storybook about a fun day out… which they can illustrate?

These activities are not only fun, but also help build the skills young children need to become confident readers. The goal is to make reading an enjoyable adventure rather than a chore, and the Early Reading Stars pack is full of creative ways to do just that.

Starting early with reading gives your child the tools they need for success in school and beyond. It’s not just about learning letters and words—it’s about engaging them, stimulating creativity and imagination, and a lifelong love for learning. By incorporating daily Storytime and using our Early Reading Stars pack, you can create a nurturing environment where children will feel excited about reading.

So why wait? Let’s kickstart your child’s literacy journey today with engaging stories, fun activities, and the best tools to help them grow. Remember, a lifelong love of reading starts with a single story. With the right support, your child can become a Reading Star in no time!

Ready to get started? Send an email to us at hello@storytimemagazine.com if you would like to receive an Early Reading Stars pack now to give your child the head start they deserve!

A heaping helping of delicious stories!

Here is a fun fact: many of the tales in the latest issue of Storytime involve food in some way – and if you think about it, isn’t enjoying a good story like eating a delicious dinner? Both will leave you feeling happy and satisfied, and while a meal feeds your body, a good story will feed your mind and soul!

Here is a preview of the many courses that we will be serving up in issue 122 of Storytime…

The Kingdom of the Ogres is a Vietnamese story about an unfortunate cook who is shipwrecked on a distant shore. Even worse, he is quickly captured by hungry ogres! It’s lucky for him, then, that he still has his wok and spices and can serve them up a delicious dinner. This story reminds us of how sharing meals with others can bring us together. The delectable illustrations were served up by Daniel Sanders, who did an amazing job.

When Gods Came to Dinner is a light-hearted Greek myth about an elderly couple who unknowingly invite two Olympians in for a meal! Susanne Galfre renders the food in loving detail – you might want to go and get some figs and goats’ cheese from the supermarket after reading this one.

A creature’s greed and laziness are his downfall in The Spider Falls to Earth. The Spider once lived in the heavens, but he decides to go down to our world and become a chief so he can laze around and be fed big dinners! He is punished for his gluttony and goes on a quest to find even more food! Damian Zairn’s art gives a unique and otherworldly feel to this Native American legend.

Yunus Atligan cooks up amazing illustrations for The Acorn and the Pumpkin. It stars a simple farmer called Harold who farms delicious vegetables and enjoys a hearty breakfast and lunch. This story reminds us about the hard work that goes into growing our food, and why we should be grateful to people like Harold when we sit down to dinner!

An Extra-Ordinary Day! is about Alastair’s first day at school – the thing that makes this unusual is that he comes from a magical family and it’s his first time at a ‘normal’ college! Michel Verdu spices up this fun and relatable story with enchanting art, and  Alastair’s mum makes her son a special ‘ordinary’ meal for breakfast – a magic porridge no less!

Masha and the Bear is a heartwarming bedtime story about a little girl who takes her furry friend to a playground, with comical results. The tale ends with a delicious picnic, as all great play dates should. The illustrations are by Giulia Lutri, and they turn this tale into a tasty treat for the eyes…

The last two stories don’t serve up a meal but the artwork is a feast for the eyes nonetheless. Aleksander Jasinski’s art adds colour and a dash of magic to Donal and Conal, a charming Irish tale about two fellows who teach fairies to dance. However, the grumpy and greedy one gets what he deserves in the end.

And lastly, we have an inspirational story about triumphing over adversity – the story of how a little girl called Wilma overcame a disease called polio and became an Olympic legend. Her story is lovingly rendered by the phenomenally talented Polya Bulba. It’s a treat that will also nourish your soul!

Which story has made you hungry for more tales? We hope you will keep feeding your imagination and look forward to many more Storytime issues still! Happy reading, everyone!

This month, we are lucky enough to be interviewing Joelle Avelino, the creator and illustrator of a wonderful new children’s title called A Book of People Like Me. It’s about a boy named Kenny, who tells us about the things he likes, the things he has in common with others, and the things that make him unique.

Q: Joelle, thank you for this interview!

First, I’m sure many of our readers would like to know how you became an illustrator, as that would be a dream job for many of them. What inspired you to become an artist, and how did you embark on this exciting career?

I actually studied illustration with marketing at uni with no intention of actually becoming an illustrator. I didn’t think it was even an option if I’m honest. I went on to work in marketing for three years after I graduated. It wasn’t until I had my daughter that I began to draw again, and that’s when I knew this was something I want to pursue. And I landed my first-ever editorial commission with The Guardian, and that’s where it all started.

Q: We here at Storytime loved A Book of People Like Me, and especially its positive and inclusive message and gorgeous illustrations. Could you tell us how you became involved in the project?

When I received the text from the publisher I knew right away it was a story I wanted to illustrate. It is a story that is very much in line with the message I like to convey in my stories – we are more alike than different.

Q: A Book of People Like Me is far from your first work, of course! Please tell us about your previous titles – they sound fascinating!

Where do I start haha! Well not bore you with a long list, here are a few.  One of my recent titles is Mama’s Sleeping Scarf. It was written by one of my favourite best-selling authors, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and it’s a tender story that celebrates the simple joys of family life.

I also worked on Hey You! Written by Dapo Adeola, which was a 2022, British Book Awards winner. It is an empowering celebration of growing up black, and last but definitely not least, I worked on the 25^th-anniversary edition of Baroness Floella Benjamin’s classic memoir Coming to England.

Q: You also created an animation project for International Women’s Day in 2023. Can you tell us about it?

Yes, this was for Malala fund, they asked young girls what they want to be when they grow up and I was asked to bring their dreams to life in short animation. It was also one of Design Week’s favourite International Women’s Day projects of 2020, which was pretty cool.

Q: Are there any books, authors, artists or other notable figures that that have been particularly inspirational to you as a creator?

So many artists and illustrators inspire me daily. Recently I’ve been really drawn to Marc Boutavant’s work, it’s fun and playful yet so sophisticated at the same time. I particularly love his use of shapes and how he draws animals.

Q: Regarding the illustrations in the book, we’d love to find out about your creative process and the tools you use!

I always sketch on paper first and all my work is then created on my Cintiq Wacom tablet.

I started off by creating my main character, Kenny. I wanted him to be fun and playful and adventurous. I really wanted children to be able to relate to him.

Once I nailed that, that’s when I began thinking about what type of characters I’d like to include on each spread. Everything starts off as super-loose small thumbnails before taking sketches to the next stage.

Q: The words ‘Is there anyone else like me?’ echo through A Book of People Like Me. Why is including characters that readers from many backgrounds and cultures can identify with, important?

Very important, as many illustrators like myself would say, growing up we never saw ourselves represented in stories. I can’t emphasis enough how important it is for kids to be able to see themselves in the stories they read.

Q: What thoughts and ideas would you ideally like young readers to take away after reading A Book of People Like Me?

That we are all different and we should celebrate our differences, but we are also more alike than different in many ways.

Q: Although Kenny tells the story from his own perspective, we’re sure you will agree that the real star of A Book of People Like Me is his lovable dog, Ketchup! Was he inspired by a real-life pet?

We love Ketchup! I don’t have a pet, no, but one of my daughter’s favourites is dogs. She’s still trying to convince me to get her one! Maybe one day…

Thank you very much for this interview, Joelle! A Book of People Like Me will be published in 2024 by Kumusha, a new globally focussed and inclusive publishing imprint.

Celebrating a decade of stories!

Ten years ago, a brave dream was born – a dream of children everywhere being inspired by beautiful stories and enchanting art. The motivation behind Storytime magazine wasn’t just about launching another publication; it was about nurturing young imaginations and fostering a love for reading. We envisioned a world where every child, no matter where they lived, could hold in their hands a piece of magic, a magazine full of lovingly crafted stories that spark curiosity and illustrations that bring those tales to life.

The journey to bring Storytime to life was no small feat. It took courage, a great team, and an unyielding belief in the power of storytelling. We were driven by our mission. We believed that stories are not just for bedtime; they are for dreamtime, playtime, and any time a child needs to be transported to another world (just as we did, while reading stories as children!).

The Heart of Our Mission: Reading and Literacy

From the very first issue, Storytime has been committed to promoting reading and literacy. Our mission has always been to make stories accessible, engaging, diverse and inclusive for children around the globe. We believe that reading is a gateway to learning, creativity, and ultimately, to achieving one’s dreams. Every story we publish is a step towards empowering a generation of young readers, encouraging them to explore, imagine and grow.

As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we look back with immense pride and gratitude towards the thousands of contributors and suppliers who have been instrumental in our journey. From writers and illustrators to printers and distributors, every single person involved has played a crucial role in ensuring that Storytime reaches the hands of eager readers in over 60 countries.

This milestone issue is not just another publication; it is a heartfelt thank you to our extended family who believed in our vision and helped us bring it to life. We are proud to call ourselves ‘Your World of Stories’, and it’s a world that continues to grow bigger and more exciting every day.

Celebrating with Our Readers

To mark this special occasion, we have something extraordinary planned for our readers. In our 10th anniversary issue, we are launching a competition that invites you to create a cover character and a plot for a story in a future issue of Storytime. This is your chance to to help craft stories and characters that will inspire children around the world next spring. How cool is that?

Download your starter entry pack here and let your imagination run wild. We can’t wait to see the incredible ideas that our readers, both big and small, will bring to life. More than anything, we want to say a huge thank you to all our readers who have been part of this beautiful journey. Your love for stories has been the driving force behind our own story and why we are still here!

Meet the Magic-makers

We are also thrilled to introduce you to the amazing artists who have made this anniversary issue truly special. Their magic brushes have created illustrations as sweet and delicious as cake, adding a delightful touch to each story.

The amazingly talented Devika Oza whipped up a fabulous treat by illustrating The Golden Dragon who also appears on the issue’s cover!

The Giant’s Cauldron is a fun Norse myth about the god Thor and his brother Tyr. Augusto Camargo did a wonderful job of bringing them to life in his art…

Forget-Me-Not is a sweet confection of a fairy tale, and Anna Ariano added her own lovely embellishments with her lovely pastel illustrations..

Young artist Sally Walker takes us into space with her lively and colourful art for The Cosmic Visitor and Katalin Gyovai will make you laugh with her hilarious illustrations for  the fable of The Bear and the Bees.

Long-time contributor and fan favourite Wiliam Luong gave us a special birthday present with his stunning art for Rimonah of the Flashing Sword and Gaby Zermeno takes us on an adventure with the illustrations for Pathfinder Island.

The final artistic gift to unwrap is from Annada Menon! She portrayed the amazing scientist and chimpanzee-rights activist Jane Goodall in the heart-warming and inspiring tale of Jane of the Apes.

Each of these artists poured their heart and soul into creating illustrations that enhance the stories we tell. Their work represents the beauty of collaboration and the power of art in storytelling. And we do it all for you, our readers big and small!

Myths and legends are some of our favourite stories of all time… and if the results of our reader surveys are to be believed, you agree with us! Stories about ancient heroes, gods, and spirits have a special way of stirring our souls and making us feel a sense of wonder. These stories often feature beings which represent natural forces.

For example, both the Greek god Zeus and the Norse god Thor wield the power of thunder and lightning, while the Sumerian goddess Inanna has dominion over love and fertility. It’s only natural that our ancestors would worship beings that represented powerful forces that were outside of their control. They could pray to these gods in the hope that they might be protected from various disasters. The sea can be both powerful and unpredictable, so myths and legends often feature gods and spirits of the sea.

Here are some stories about powerful oceanic beings that you have to read!

Yemaya (‘Yemaya the Ocean Mother,’ Storytime 120) The latest issue of Storytime features this ocean goddess as the cover star, and she tells the story of how she came to rule the sea inside. Yemaya is fascinating because she represents the kind and benevolent side of the ocean, providing fish aplenty to feed her worshippers. Her brother Olokun, on the other hand, dwells in the deep and represents the dark and destructive side of the sea. The story is about the two confronting each other, with the fate of humanity in the balance.

Poseidon (‘The Contest of the Gods’, Storytime 93) Poseidon is the Greek god of the sea, but despite his great power, he doesn’t play an important role in many legends. In this story, he takes part in a race against the goddess Athena to see who will become the patron god of the city of Athens. As you might guess from the city’s name, Poseidon loses and is not happy about it! The Athenians made a point of making offerings to Poseidon anyway, as they didn’t want sudden storms to wreck their ships.

Bathala (‘The Cuttlefish and the Squid’, Storytime 118) The Tagalog people live on the islands of the Philippines, so the sea was very important to their lives. In their ancient religion, Bathala, the ocean god, was the supreme god and the creator of the universe. In this story, he is giving jobs and honours to his underwater subjects when two mischievous creatures decide to play a prank. This story portrays him as generous but easily upset!

The Sea Witch (‘The Girl Who Knew No Fear’, Storytime 94) The sea is dangerous and unpredictable… especially for ancient sailors who went to sea in flimsy wooden ships. It often seemed as if wicked beings tried to sink ships or drive them onto hidden reefs! One of these creatures appears in the story of “The Girl Who Knew No Fear”, but luckily the heroine drives the sea witch, who is trying to wreck a vessel, away!

Sedna (‘Sedna the Sea Goddess’, Storytime 53) The Inuit are another people whose lives depend on the sea! They live in Arctic regions of Canada and fish from kayaks made of animal hides. ‘Sedna the Sea Goddess’ tells the story of how a young woman gets tricked into marrying a raven-man but is turned into a powerful underwater being!

The Sea Lord (‘The Sea Lord’s Gift’, Storytime 83) In this Scandinavian folk tale, an elderly couple are given the gift of an amazing cow by the Sea Lord. But when they take the cow for granted and try to make their island bigger by putting rocks in the sea, he gets angry and punishes them! This story has a similar theme to many others – the sea can be generous but should always be respected.

The Sea King (‘The Sea King’, Storytime 95) This tale is inspired by Māori legends! When a tribe kidnaps a woman and refuses when the god of the oceans asks them to return her, he declares war on them and his army of fish invades the land. This leads to an amazing battle… and when it is over, the tribe surrenders and bows to the Sea King!

We hope you enjoyed this introduction to the wonderful array of sea spirits that can be found in Storytime. Perhaps you would like to read them on the Storytime Hub or get back issues from the shop?

And there is one lesson that we can take from all of these stories this summer: though there aren’t really supernatural forces beneath the ocean, that’s no reason why you shouldn’t be careful when going swimming and enjoying all the sea has to offer. Be safe, respect the ocean, and take care of the environment!

Variety is the Spice of Life!

We here at Storytime Towers have a very simple mission statement: every month, we will bring you new and exciting stories to thrill your imagination! We create stories of all types: long ones and short ones, myths and fairy tales, stories set in imaginary worlds and our own wonderful reality.

We want to make sure that each story is fresh and original, because variety truly is the spice of life. When it comes to giving each tale a unique flavour, our amazing artists add a unique ‘zing’ to every single one. This month, we’d like to pay tribute to these creative geniuses and look at the way they brought something fresh and flavourful to the stories in our latest issue.

Eleonora Turina is the artist who created the magazine’s amazing cover, and she also illustrated the legend of Yemaya the Ocean Mother. This is a vibrant story from Africa about the creation of the world and how Yemaya filled the sea with life. It’s only appropriate, then, that Eleonora would render the art on an epic scale and fill it with life and colour. This goddess is venerated in Africa, the Caribbean, and South America, so the artist drew on these places and their cultures for inspiration.

Julián Ariza took a very different approach when creating the visuals for The Cleverest Animal, a fable about how destructive the cleverest animal can be. (Guess which creature you think it is!) His art is rendered in a sketchy style and a limited colour palette, and this helps to bring the story’s message across in an effective way. The use of inset panels on the final page is another eye-catching and effective artistic choice that conveys how the animals feel about what has happened to their forest home.

Goblins in the Mountain is an exciting adventure story that would make a great animated film, and Elina Clevergull has created art for it that would not be out of place in a classic Walt Disney or Hayao Miyazaki film! The heroes have likeable and expressive faces, the goblins are equal parts menacing and funny, and their underground city is wonderfully depicted as a strange and intriguing place!

Annalisa Leoni was given the task of illustrating Pepper Time!, which is the tale about what happened to Peter Piper from the famous nursery rhyme after he picked a peck of pickled peppers! She embraced the colours and aesthetics of Mexico, a country renowned for its love of peppers, in her art. You’ll find the vibrant colours of red, orange, and yellow, as well as artistic flourishes borrowed from Mexican culture. Remember what we said about variety being the spice of life? Annalisa made this story extra-spicy, just for you!

Reading Rocketeers! is a literally out-of-this-world science fiction story about two kids who are transported to another planet by the magic of reading! Renata Red understands fantasy well, so she depicted an alien planet with strange bright colours and googly-eyed alien creatures. When you look at her art, you too are transported to a world like nothing else you have ever seen – and that’s a special kind of magic!

Silvia Brunetti was responsible for illustrating The Shining Ship of Lac Leman, a very different tale that takes place on a Swiss lake, and is also based on a character’s imagination. Silvia’s images give this story about a simple sailor’s encounter with a fairy vessel a misty, dreamlike, and melancholy feel that captures the mood of the tale and gives it an even greater resonance!

The Amazing Adventures section of our magazine features stories about the childhoods of exceptional people – but illustrating them poses particular challenges for artists! They have to portray real people and places while also adding artistic flair. Zeynep Büsra Ayaz rose to the challenge in formidable style, as you’ll discover when you read The Best of Times, the Worst of Times. This story is about how a young Charles Dickens came to work in a boot-blacking factory, and the artist really brings the grim, grimy, and lively London of that time to life.

Look at the way she uses the shapes of the buildings to add visual interest, and the bold first-person view of Charles pasting a label on a blacking pot! We’re sure that Charles (or ‘Boz’, as he was often called) would approve! On a side note, although Charles Dickens is thought of as one of the greatest Victorian novelists, most of his books actually take place in the pre-Victorian Regency era… which was when he grew up. You might recognize it in the illustrations – and that’s a very special detail Zeynep found when she researched his stories.

Antara Mukhopadhyay created wonderful images of the colourful characters that populate The Gift of Patience, an Indian story about a bold princess who makes her own fortune. Antara realized that the various characters’ personalities were the key to this story and gave them amazingly lively and expressive faces… as well as colourful clothes which fit in perfectly in the tale’s Indian setting. The story is great fun, but her art makes it even better.

We hope you enjoy sampling the tasty tales and flavourful art in this month’s magazine. It’s a fantastic summer of stories, and we hope this issue will keep you busy playing and reading! Be sure to tell us which story’s illustrations really caught your attention. Have a great summer!

Hey there, young adventurers! Summer is here, and it’s the perfect time to dive into the ocean of stories waiting for you. But wait – we’re not talking about doing homework or going through a required-reading list. We want to celebrate the magic of reading just for fun!

Why Read for Fun?

Reading isn’t just about learning; it’s about going on adventures without ever leaving your back yard. It’s about meeting new friends in the pages of a book and visiting new and surprising places And the best part? You can set your own pace. There’s no race to finish, no scores to keep. It’s all about enjoying the stories that make you laugh, think, and dream.

We take reading for fun very seriously at Storytime! Our team came up with our favourite ideas for combining reading and enjoyment, but we would love to hear from parents, educators and readers, too – tell us what you like to do during the holidays that make summer reading fun!

Incorporating Reading into Playtime

• Story-Picnics: Grab a blanket, some snacks, and your favourite books. In your garden or your living room, a story-picnic is a great way to enjoy reading with the sun shining down or the stars twinkling above.

• Book-Themed Treasure Hunts: Create a treasure hunt where each clue is related to a story or a character from a book. It’s a thrilling way to bring stories to life and get everyone moving!

• Dress-Up Storytime: Why not dress up as your favourite character while reading? It’s a fantastic way to bring stories to life and encourage imaginative play.

• Reading Forts: Build a fort with pillows and blankets, grab a flashlight, and step into your private reading nook. It’s cosy and fun to create a special place just for you and your books.

• Act it out! Reading is even more fun if you bring friends and family along for the ride! Why not choose a story to enjoy together? We suggest picking one where different characters talk to each other – different people can take on different parts and read them out in funny voices. See if you can make your friends crack up laughing!

Add some Magic!

Remember, reading is not about how many books you finish; it’s about the stories that stay with you long after summer is over. It’s about the characters that become your friends and the adventures that spark your imagination.

So, as you splash in the pool or relax under a shady tree, let Storytime be your gateway to new worlds. We’re here to make sure your summer is filled with laughter, learning, and, most importantly, fun!

Stories That Make a Splash!

As the school doors close, endless summer adventures await! This month, we’re diving into a world where magic is in the air and the sea. Are you ready for Storytime’s summer issue? We promise lots of tales you won’t forget!

Our first tale features a dolphin unlike any other! What makes him special, I hear you ask? He can talk, for one thing… In the story The Dolphin, our cover star rescues a squabbling prince and princess in distress and teaches them the true meaning of teamwork and bravery. Dago Baute’s mesmerizing art is a portal into the dolphin’s magnificent submarine realm…

We keep the excitement flowing with a story from our Around the World Tales section. In this amazing tale, fish friends get together to help a Korean hero by creating The Bridge of Fishes. The stunning illustrations by Alex Nguyen bring this amazing sight to life, teaching us that even the smallest creatures can make the biggest difference.

The sea holds many secrets, and its untamed power can teach wisdom to even the greatest kings. That’s the theme of King Knut and the Tide. Pamela Wehrhahne illustrates it in fabulous style, bringing humour to this famous story of a grumpy king who gives is flattering courtiers a lesson in humility!

An elephant also makes waves in this issue! Weighing the Elephant is a fable set in China, and he is floated in a boat to see how heavy he is! The very talented Thais Mesquita illustrates a journey of discovery, where a young boy uses observation and logic to uncover the secrets of the world…

On firmer ground, the Mulch Fairy flutters into our hearts as she shares the joy of planting trees and bonding with members of your community. This story is a tribute to all the volunteers who make our neighbourhoods bloom with kindness and care. Silvia Biondi gives it a whimsical touch with her delicate brushes!

As night falls, it’s time for a bedtime story that brings a classic fairy tale to life. The musicians of Bremen have hung up their instruments and opened the cosiest inn in town, serving up the tastiest breakfast you can imagine. Dante Guerino’s  turned every page into a feast for the eyes, as vibrant as the meals are delicious!

This month’s myth will transport you deep into the underworld of Aztec legend, and Daniela Martin Del Campo’s art gives it a vibrant and unmistakable Mexican feel. The Opossum and the Secret of Fire is an adventure story that features, rich colours, a bold and unique visual style and an unforgettable furry hero!

We wrap up this issue by celebrating the life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a woman whose determination and grace have inspired countless girls to chase their dreams. Her Mother’s Daughter, illustrated beautifully by Aleksandra Szmidt, will leave you feeling empowered and ready to make your own mark on the world!

We’re eager to find which story will become your summer favourite! And remember, there’s another stunning issue waiting for you next month. Whether you’re splashing in a pool, the sea, or just a bubbly bath, we hope also enjoy plunging into these wonderful tales! Happy reading.

“Before a child speaks, it sings. Before they write, they paint. As soon as they stand, they dance. Art is the basis of human expression.” – Phylicia Rashad

In childhood development, play is not merely a break from learning; it is the stage where the most profound learning occurs. By singing, painting, and dancing, children express their understanding of the world and their place within it. It’s no surprise that play comes naturally to us! Before we learn anything else, we are able to play. Children come up with imaginary friends and play games of make-believe instinctively.

Having creative outlets to express themselves and their imaginations is good for the mental health of children. Unfortunately, art and music education is facing a challenging era, with significant funding cuts across the world. In the US, the presence of arts education in public schools has seen a marked decline since the early 2000s, while the UK has contemplated halving arts higher education funding in recent years. In England, we face a ‘creativity crisis’, with a significant drop in the number of creative arts students and teachers over the past decade. (1)

A survey by the Association of School and College Leaders revealed that 72% of leaders reported cutting creative subjects from their curriculum. These reductions not only diminish the richness of cultural education but also overlook the arts’ contribution to cognitive development and student engagement. (2)

As the arts face undervaluation, the importance of play, imagination, and creativity in nurturing human potential cannot be overstated. Yet, the increasing demands on children’s schedules leave little room for such essential activities. It’s a stark reminder that sidelining the arts risks losing the creativity that should define our youth and shape our future.

Imagine a world where learning isn’t just sitting and listening, but singing at the top of your lungs, painting with fingers, engaging with stories, and dancing like nobody’s watching.

The Joy of Playful Learning

Art and stories provide a canvas for children to express their inner worlds. When a child grips a paintbrush, they are not just splashing colours on a paper; they are learning to control their movements, recognize patterns and express emotions. Similarly, when they lose themselves in a story, they are not just following a narrative; they are walking in someone else’s shoes, developing empathy, and expanding their understanding of different ways to live and be.

When kids play, they’re not just having fun—they’re becoming mighty problem-solvers and emotional ninjas. They’re learning the art of being human, and they’re masterpieces in progress!

Crafting Time for Creativity

In our structured world, it is crucial to carve out time and create spaces to encourage children to engage in art and storytelling. We are all responsible for helping to raise the next generation, and we must recognize that artistic outlets are not just ‘extracurriculars’ – they allow kids to express themselves and develop into fully rounded human beings.

When we created Storytime, making reading fun was – and continues to be – our mission. We aim to engage readers our readers by helping them enjoy the reading experience. That way, they can learn and absorb ideas without even noticing! While ‘Edutainment’ might be a buzzword right now, the idea behind it has merit: we do learn better when we are having fun!

Our busy world moves so fast, but we should make time to press pause and make room for magic. Let’s build sandcastles in the living room and read tales that transport us to other worlds. Art and play is not just fun—it provides a fertile space in which children can grow and explore.

Engagement in art and stories does more than just encouraging creativity. It fosters wellbeing and mental resilience, equipping children with the tools to face life’s challenges. Through play, they learn to problem-solve, to handle emotions, and to navigate social dynamics. These are the skills that allow individuals to flourish, to adapt, and to find joy even in adversity, and they will be essential in later life.

Keeping the Spark Alive

Let’s not forget the power of play. It’s the secret ingredient in the recipe for innovation and happiness. So, when was the last time you played? As we champion the cause of play in childhood, let’s also sneak it into our grown-up lives. Because believe it or not, playing might just be the most grown-up thing we can do. And how to keep the play alive as an adult? Ah, that’s a tale for another day.

Data source:

1: https://theconversation.com/arts-education-is-facing-massive-cuts-yet-its-value-is-felt-everywhere-160844

2: https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/article/art-teaching-in-decline-in-our-schools)

Making New Friends!

Characters in stories often find valuable treasures, from magic rings to chests of gold and priceless family heirlooms. But the best stories are usually about something more valuable than any of these: friendship!

This is because true friends stay with us through the good times and the not-so-good times. They are a gift that never stops giving!

It just so happens that this issue is about friends of all kinds… here are the ones you will meet along the way…

Our cover star is Pixel, a virtual character created by a girl named Gabbi. She loves coding and drawing, but has trouble making friends in her class. That’s why she decided to make one as a special project! ‘Pixel Power’ is about how she makes and gets to know her new friend.

This tale admits that it can be difficult to make human friends, especially if we have interests that are thought of as being a bit ‘weird’… but it is best to be true to ourselves while also being open to others. We’re sure you’ll love the beautifully vibrant art created by Vanessa Morales, who really brings little Pixel to life!

‘Alan Cracks the Code’ is a tale with a similar theme! It’s a story about the childhood of Alan Turing, the brilliant mathematician and computing pioneer who helped to crack vital German codes during World War II. As a young boy, he preferred maths and doing chemistry experiments to football, which meant that he stood out among his classmates.

But in the end, Alan did make a friend who was almost as brilliant as him! Any kid who feels a bit lonely sometimes can take inspiration from his story – and the sweet illustrations by the talented John Joven, of course!

One of the best things about having friends is that they can open us up to new experiences. That’s what happens in ‘The Barefoot Princess’… Meribel (the main character in the Hans Christian Anderson story ‘The Princess and the Pea’) gets invited to go on a hike with her friends Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.

Her sensitive feet get sore in her hiking boots… so the other princesses encourage her to go without! The painterly art by Ayla Valiyeva gives a fun and fresh take to these classic characters that you are sure to love…

True friends have our back, even if we’re not perfect! ‘Samba the Coward’ is an African tale about a prince who lacks courage, even when bandits threaten the kingdom! He befriends a princess, and when she discovers that he lacks courage, she doesn’t abandon him.

She accepts this part of him and helps him to overcome it, as a true friend should. The illustrations for this story are absolutely spectacular – Kandice Johnson took inspiration from the historic African kingdom of Benin, and they are full of colour and life!

Friends also help us out when we’re in trouble! Inanna was the ancient Sumerian goddess of love and fertility, and she makes a serious mistake when she goes to visit her sister in ‘Inanna Goes to the Underworld’.

It turns out that goddesses of the underworld don’t like to let visitors leave their kingdom. Fortunately, her faithful maid Ninsubur is able to save her, with help from some kindly spirits. Elena Iarussi is responsible for the gorgeous and appropriately dreamy art…

These five stories are about how wonderful friendships can be… but there are also three stories in this issue about what can happen when we take our friends for granted and don’t treat them well!

‘The Basket of Eels’ is a Maori tale set in New Zealand. The inhabitants of a fortified village are lucky enough to have a giant spiky lizard as a guardian, and they give it delicious grilled eels every day as a thank-you.

But when the chief’s grandkids get greedy and gobble up these treats, their scaly friend gets most upset! We were lucky enough to get Julia Hegetusch to illustrate this story – she comes from New Zealand and captured the beauty of the New Zealand landscapes and Maori culture perfectly.

Another story on the theme of treating friends with respect is ‘The Giant of Lake Batur’, which takes place on the island of Bali in Indonesia. The title character is Kibo Iwa, or ‘Brother Buffalo’ – he is a huge fellow with a huge appetite!

He can do an enormous amount of work, but throws terrible tantrums when he isn’t fed enormous meals. How do the people of Bali cope with such bad behaviour? You’ll have to read the story to find out! Artist Wastana Haikal is from Indonesia, and his portrayal of the vibrant colour and beauty of Bali is a sight to behold. (He also helped by giving us the correct name of the title, too!)

The third story with a message about upsetting people through bad behaviour is ‘The Cuttlefish and the Squid’, an undersea fable from the Philippines. The king of the ocean holds a meeting to give honours to his most favoured subjects… unfortunately, the molluscs of the title arrive late, push to the front and then squirt ink all over everyone.

Being rude is no way to make friends, as they learn! Yogesh Mahajan rendered dozens of wonderful undersea lifeforms for this story. Can you spot them all?

We hope you enjoy all these stories. Perhaps they will encourage you and your little ones to think more deeply about their own friendships and why we should cherish them? Please let us know who is the favourite friend you met while reading this issue!