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Story Explorer Packs

Story Explorer is traditionally an interactive book and writing group for children aged 7-12. Over a number of weeks, children work through an exciting book for their age group with leader Sandra Flitcroft, exploring the book’s themes and characters as they read.

During the coronavirus pandemic our Story Explorer sessions couldn’t take place as normal. Instead, Sandra turned her hand to producing Story Explorer packs for families, carers, librarians and teachers to use wherever they are!

“I would like to thank Sandra and the whole team behind Story Explorers. It is a great group which really encourages and inspires young people in reading, writing, art and imagination.”

We are so grateful to the Ilkley Book Club. Without their support, we would not be able to produce these packs and provide reading and writing activities to children.

Ilkley Book Club
Story Explorer supported by Ilkley Book Club.

What are the packs?

You might be a librarian looking to start your own group; a parent or carer navigating teaching for the first time, or a teacher looking for material to use in your classroom, whether that’s at home, in school or online.

Our Story Explorer packs are digitised activity booklets and are available to download for free. These packs are designed to be reading accompaniments and can be used to help children work through and get the most out of an exciting book for their age group.


What packs are available?

The Weirdstone of Brisingamen by Alan Garner

The first pack is available now and explores The Weirdstone of Brisingamen by Alan Garner. This is a classic children’s fantasy novel steeped in English folklore, tradition, mythology and mystery. The novel tells the story of Colin and Susan who must fight off dark spirits, a sorceress and an evil wizard, who all wish to find and destroy a special stone that wields magical power.

Pages and Co: Tilly and the Book Wanderers by Anna James

Tilly and the Book Wanderers is the first in the series. In the book, Tilly and her friend Oskar learn how to enter books and together they slowly learn how to travel safely. In the process, they introduce the reader to many other books written over the past 150 years, some of which they may have read, listened to or watched, and others who they may want to encounter in the future.Use the pack to work your way through the book and get the most out of your reading experience!

The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Raúf

The Boy at the Back of the Class was the first book written by author andactivist Onjali Q Raúf and was published in 2018. It tells the story of a young boy named Ahmet, a refugee from Syria, who starts at a new school after being separated from his family on his journey to London. Four children in his class determine to become his friends and to reunite him with his family. It deals with very serious subjects, including war, death and racist bullying, all from the viewpoint of one of those children. 


What will I need?

  • A physical, digital or audio copy of the book.
    • Second-hand physical copies for The Weirdstone of Brisingamen are available for under £3.00 here or contact your local library to find out out if they have a copy available for collection.
    • Physical copies for Pages and Co: Tilly and the Book Wanderers are available from The Grove Bookshop here.
  • Access to a computer, tablet or printer to view the activity sheets. If you do not have digital access, please email info@ilkleylitfest.org.uk to discuss access to a bursary pack .
  • Pen and paper (colouring pencils are optional).

These packs have been produced by Ilkley Literature Festival & Sandra Flitcroft for non-commercial use.
The Ilkley Literature Festival does not gain any income from the packs, and credit remains with the authors and publishers.