Share a Story Month

National Share a Story month is celebrated each year in May. Book Groups across the country stage events and activities to celebrate the power of story.  Added to this is a National Competition.

Each year is celebrated with a different theme - this year's being 'Windows on the World'.  Storytelling is one of the oldest artforms and people from all age groups, backgrounds and cultures can get involved.

Stories give us the power to travel the world, see new and unfamiliar places, meet new people, visit different cultures and see ourselves as others see us. They give us the chance to experience life through other people's eyes.

Competition

The competition is based on this year's theme 'Windows on the World' and there are three categories for entries:

• Up to Year 2 / Scottish Schools up to Primary 3
• Year 3 to Year 6 / Scottish Schools Primary 4 to 7
• Year 7 and above / Scottish Schools Secondary

To enter, you can either:

Write a description in prose or verse (not more than 1,000 words) of what you would like to see through your window, or draw, paint or otherwise illustrate your ideal window plus view! (no bigger than A4).

The winner from each category will win a £50 Book Token. The rules of the competition are as follows:

Please include your name, address and year group
Consideration will be given to presentation as well as content
Entries cannot be returned
The closing date for entries is Monday 6 June
Winners will be announced on the Federation of Children's Book Groups website in the week beginning Monday 13 June
Please send your entry to Sue Penny, NSSM Co-ordinator, 30 The Swallows, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL7 1BY.

Put on your own event

Why not stage your own event for National Share a Story Month.  It couldn't be easier - here are some ideas:

• Arrange a visit from an author or illustrator. You could also try contacting publishers, either by finding their details in the Writers and Artists' Yearbook or by looking up individual publishers on the internet. You could think about sharing the cost of an author visit with a local school, book group or library.
• Book a storyteller or run your own storytime. Pick a theme and read favourite books and poems.
• Hold a party - use a village hall or school, provide food (perhaps parents and the PTA could help), sell books, tell stories and hold a raffle, craft activities and competitions.
• Involve local arts venues/theatre/public library/bookshops.
• Tell a local newspaper about what you are doing and suggest that they send along a photographer on the day.

For more ideas and information on organising your own event for National Share a Story month, please visit the Federation of Children's Book Groups website.