StoryCraft: 50 Theme-Based Programs Combining Storytelling, Activities and Crafts for Children in Grades 1-3

by Martha Seif Simpson

While storytelling is a great favorite of preschoolers, many elementary age children are more drawn to crafts and other activities. StoryCraft is an award-winning library program that combines storytelling with crafts in an exciting and engaging activity for children in first through third grades. Each one-hour program includes storytelling, a craft, movement, activities, music, and discussion. This collection of StoryCraft programs presents 50 fun and educational theme-based sessions. Each includes suggestions for promotion, music, crafts, activities, and stories. The sessions also include bibliographies to help direct young readers toward additional reading, as well as diagrams, detailed instructions, and supply lists for the crafts. The themes range from a Jungle Safari to Math Mayhem to a Western Roundup, all encouraging children to enjoy reading in a variety of ways. Each session has plenty of suggestions, so that the program can be customized. Helpful Hints for implementing the program can help any librarian, volunteer, or parent turn a ho-hum storytime into a dazzling StoryCraft time.

Paperback

Published April 23, 2001

About the author

Martha Seif Simpson is a retired Children’s Librarian and author. Her picture books are What NOT to Give Your Mom on Mother’s Day, The Dreidel That Wouldn’t Spin: A Toyshop Tale of Hanukkah, Esther’s Gragger: A Toyshop Tale of Purim and A Ring for a King: A Tale of King Solomon. A new Hanukkah book, I Will NOT Eat Latkes!, will be published in October 2026.

She enjoys talking about her books at libraries, schools and community centers. See her website, www.Martha-Seif-Simpson.com, to arrange a visit. She posts interviews with fellow children's book writers at https://marthakidlitauthor.substack.com. You can also find her on Bluesky at @marthakidlitauthor.bsky.social and on Facebook as Martha Kidlit Author.

Reviews

[Andrew]

This is not meant for Grades 1-3. Going to put that out there. There are maybe 2-3 of the themes' programs that could be used for Grades 1-3, but for the most part, this is definitely written for the storytime specialist type, not someone working with school age types, BUT, it does provide a clear list of books for book group/book talk, relevant films of the time it was published, AND non-fiction.
However, the themes are generic enough that you could use them almost at any age. Simpson does do a good job of incorporating a picture book, chapter book, several programs under that theme, public domain or copyrighted music to use for said theme, as well as the instructions for each craft or game idea. She does try to cover all ages that are usually in attendance for kid's programs, which is helpful, but the resources being outdated doesn't help....however, the themes provide more ideas for any specialist, whether they be storytime emphasis or school-age kid emphasis.