reading READI

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CATCH-UP
Catch-up PACK! Inside this pack:
Now is a great time to get reading! Advice for Teachers, Pa
The last year has made it a bit difficult to rents and Carers
A World of Stories!
maintain our reading habits – so this pack
has been specially designed to make reading Which Story Should I Re
ad?
stories into an exciting challenge! The Parts of a Story!
Who’s Your Hero?
The Storytime Reading Catch-Up Pack was created to help get your reading back
on track! It’s full of hints and tips to make reading fun, has quizzes and challenges Let’s Go on a Story Hu
nt!
that encourage you to explore new stories, and also includes activities to help you Write a Story Review!
engage with what you read. Keep track of your progress with the Weekly Reading
Word Quest!
Chart, and earn fun Reading Reward Bookmarks for completing challenges.
Grammar Master!
TEACHERS, PARENTS AND CARERS! Read through this pack with your child and
Draw It!
discuss it with them. Which stories would they like to read? Are there any activities
you would like to do together? By making reading and completing story-based Reading Fun Cards!
activities a shared experience, you are helping your child and spending quality Weekly Reading Char
t
time with them as well.
Storytime Reading Re
ward Bookmarks
Reading is a great way to develop key skills. It helps with comprehension as well Top Tips to Keep Read
ing
as improving grammar and building vocabulary. Stories can teach us new things,
About Storytime
and are great fun as well!
Order Form
Get ready to start your reading journey!
© storytime magazine ltd 2021
Advice for teachers, Here’s
wha
can do t YOU READI
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parents and carers to help CATCH-UP

childre
n deve
good r lop
ead ing
We created this resource pack to help children to catch up on habits!
their reading over the summer. Here’s what YOU can do to help!

t the different
Plan it together! Read through this pack with your child. Talk abou
challenges and which ones they would enjoy doing.
Make time! Try to set aside some time to read a story with your child, and help them do one
of the challenges in this pack. The stories in Storytime are short, but reading together is a brilliant
way to engage with them. Keep a few issues to hand so you can pick a story anytime!

had a bit too much ‘screen time’,

Reading a story is a great time-out! If children are bored or have
a change of pace.
sitting down with a fun story is an ideal way to wind down and have
Pass it on!
No pressure! We here at Storytime believe that reading should be fun, not work! Let’s make this a
It’s fine to miss a day now and then. season of reading!
Share this pack via
Talk about it! After the child completes a challenge worksheet, read it over with them. email and get more
Ask them questions about the story! You can make some corrections, but be sure to say children reading! You
positive things about their work as well. Don’t forget to give them their Storytime Reading can even send them
Rewards Bookmark for completing a challenge! a Storytime issue to
refrigerator or another prominent get them started!
Celebrate it! Put up the reading chart on the
y are doing.
place where everyone can see how well the © storytime magazine ltd 2021
 A world of stories! READI
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ere
Oh boy! Th
Not all stories are the same – there are many kinds to discover!
ny
are so ma
Here are just a few of our favourites. Which ones do you like best?

stories!
My ths and
legends! Fairy Tales!
These are stories from ancie
nt Most fairy tales take place in
are about boys and girls who
the past, and Fables! , s h o r t a nd easy-
to-
times. They often feature face magical e funny lesson to
s dangers. These stories often These ar h a v e a
brave heroes and heroine include witches, ries that me talkin
g
wizards and talking animals, read sto a r a w e s o
going on adventures wher
e who can help ! They st umans to
o!
or hinder our heroes! teach us e t im e s h
s
they encounter monsters and som us Fable
Where to find them: Favour animals, em : F a m o
and magical menaces. ite Fairy Tales, o find th
Around the World Tales or Sh Where t
Many of these stories are ort Stories,
Sweet Dreams
very famous and have been
retold dozens of times.
Where to find them:
Folk Tales!
Myths and Legends or These are stories that have been reto
ld
!
Around the World Tales
Science fictionre or are about
for hundreds of years! Some of them
have never been printed before, but we
t in the futu
Tales that are se like to discover them – especially one
Non-fiction!
es
ib le in ve n tio n s. (Time-travel stori that come from different cultures and
s
incre d
in th e past, too.) If you
ngs that really might ta ke p la ce traditions. If you are a curious reader
These stories are about thi b o ts , o r if you daydream
tales for children like alien s a n d ro and want to know more about the pas
happened. They are great are the stories fo
r you. t,
people and events. o o l – th e se then you should check them out!
who are interested in real at sc h
cts, including es Where to find them: Storyteller’s
They can cover many subje h er e to fi n d th em: We sometim
science. W Corner or Around the World Tales
music, sports, history and re th e m in Ta le s from Today!
ome Adventures featu
Where to find them: Awes
© storytime magazine ltd 2021
 Which story should I read? READI
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Can’t decide which story you want to read? Follow this chart to find out what
kind of tale is perfect for you!
START HERE!
Which pet would
I would you rather have?
What do you prefer
rather eat... Unicorn Tiger to find in your story?

Cake Pizza Monsters Pets

What makes a When do you prefer When do you like What subject do you
true hero? to read stories? stories to be set? enjoy the most?

Magic Skills Evening Daytime The past The future Geography

MATHS Maths

A good story needs I would like Your best friend

to have a... to have a... would be a...
Witch Warrior Boat Horse Dragon Scientist

You’ll love... You’ll love... You’ll love... You’ll love...

Short Stories, Big Dreams Storyteller’s Corner Famous Fables Awesome Adventures
Favourite Fairy Tales Myths and Legends Around the World Tales Tales from Today

© storytime magazine ltd 2021

CHALLENGE
The parts of a Story! READI
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CATCH-UP

A story needs a lot of different ingredients to be fun and exciting!

Once you have read a story, try to answer these questions, which
will help you to figure out the most important things about it.
WHAT IS THE
PROBLEM?
WHO IS THE HERO? WHERE IS IT SET?
What is the main problem
A good story needs an interesting main or challenge faced by the
Stories can be set anywhere on Earth – or even
character! The story will be about what story’s characters? How do
on other worlds! Sometimes it is not exactly clear
happens to them, and the actions that they deal with it?
where a story takes place – the events might
they take. Who is the main character What is the main challenge
take place in ‘a kingdom’, ‘a town’ or ‘a forest’.
in the story you read? faced by the story’s hero?
Where does the story you read take place?

WHO ARE THE Choose

OTHER IMPORTANT HOW DOES THE STORY END? a story to
CHARACTERS? complete
Every story has to come to an end! In many tales the
They could be friends or family of the heroes manage to deal with the problems they face this challenge
and enjoy a happy ending – but this isn’t always the
hero, people they meet, or even monsters with!
or villains! Name 2 of them! case! Can you write one sentence about how the
story you read ended?
1.
FINISHED?
Print out a
2. keep your nd
STORY EX
bookmark PERT!
.

© storytime magazine ltd 2021

CHALLENGE
Who’s your hero?
READI
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CATCH-UP

When you read a story, think about the main character. What are they like? What are the good and bad
things about them? How would you describe them? Fill in this sheet with everything people need to
know about the character.

© storytime magazine ltd 2021

?
e? Who are their friends/family
What is the character’s nam
character?
How do you feel about the
Where do they live?
? Why?
Would you like to meet them
What do they look like?

What do they wear?

Draw your own
on? picture of the
What are they like as a pers
character here!
oblems?
How do they like to solve pr FINISHED? Print out
and keep your HERO
CHALLENGE! bookmark.
CHALLENGE READI
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Let’s go on a Story hunt!

CATCH-UP
Draw your
favourite
Can you find all of these things in an issue of Storytime? creature f
rom
Tick the box and fill in the details when you find them! a story
below!
A story with a girl A clever animal character
as the main character in a story
Who was it? Who was it?

A story with a boy A magical creature or

as the main character monster in a story
Who was it? What was it?

A story set in another country A funny story

Where was it set? What’s the title?

A story that is set in the past

When was it set? A friend who saves the day
Who was it? FINISHED? Print out and
keep your LET’S GO ON A
STORY HUNT! bookmark.
© storytime magazine ltd 2021
CHALLENGE
Write a sto ry r e v i e w ! READI
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CATCH-UP

m an iss ue of St or yt im e, and then write a review

Read a story fro
rs to re ad it to o! Ca n yo u fill in all the spaces?
below to encourage othe
Issue number:
Title:
w as it? (You ca n tic k m or e than one box)
What kind of story fo lk ta le science fiction
non-fictio n fa bl e
fairy tale myth and legend
th e m ai n ch ar ac te r an d what do they do?
t? What happens to
What was the story abou

What are the 2 things that

you lik ed about the story? How many stars would
1.
you g ive it? (Colour in)
2.
u w ou ld like to change about the story?
Wha t is on e th in g yo

use to describe the story?

Which 3 words would you FINISHED? Print out and
© keep
your I REVIEWED IT!
storytime magazine ltd 2021
bookmark.
CHALLENGE Ha ve y o u tried
up new

Word quest!
READI
l oo k i n g NG
CATCH-UP
na
words i ?
ry
dictiona
Part of the fun of reading is discovering new words! When you come
across one, write it in one of these speech bubbles. Ask an adult to
help you find out what it means, and then use it in a sentence!

What does it mean?

Here is a sentence using the word:

What does it mean? What does it mean?

Here is a sentence using the word: Here is a sentence using the word:

What does it mean? What does it mean?

Here is a sentence using Here is a sentence using

the word: the word:
FINISHED? Print out and
keep your WORD QUEST!
bookmark.
© storytime magazine ltd 2021
CHALLENGE
Grammar master!
READI
NG
CATCH-UP

You can look for

To complete this challenge, read a story and try to
them in one story
find examples of all of these types of words in it! or in several
stories!
A NOUN A Verb An Adverb
Nouns are words for
people, places or things!
Examples: flower, dog.
This is a ‘doing word’ –
it is something that
somebody does.
Examples: to run, to catch.
Describes how someone
does an action. Often
ends in ‘-ly’. Examples:
quickly, softly.
Punctuation
puzzle !
Can you find examples of all

?
these kinds of punctuation
in the story? Tick the boxes
when you find them!

A proper NOUN An adjective A preposition Comma

This is the given name This is a ‘describing word’. Prepositions are words Exclamation mark
of a person or place – It is used to describe used to show where Question mark
it always starts with how a thing looks, feels, things are in relation to
a capital letter! smell or tastes! Examples: other things. Examples: Full stop
Examples: Tom, London. bright, stinky, soft, yellow. above, on, in, behind.
FINISHED? Print out and
keep your GRAMMAR
MASTER! bookmark.
© storytime magazine ltd 2021
CHALLENGE
t !
READI

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NG

w
CATCH-UP

Dra p l e t e t h is challe
ng e , a
t
s
o
k
r y
a
t
n adult o
i m e – and
r

To com
a d a s t o ry from S h e n t h e y have
re trations!
W
friend to t h e i l l u s f a c haracter
k a t r e o
don’t pee i n g , d r a w a pictu g i ned it!
r e a d o u i m a
finished t h e s tory as y
fro m
or scene
y i f y o u r p icture
Don’t worr from the one
rent
looks diffe ine – it’s cool
az
in the mag mag ination!
i
to use your

FINISHED? Print out

© storytime magazine ltd 2021 and keep your DRAW IT!
bookmark.
rea D I N G F u n CA R D S ! READI
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m in a jar.
Print and cut out these cards, then put the
the card says!
Draw one of them every day and do what

BATHTIME TALE
BEDTIME
2 4 5

6
Find a story set
READING at sea to read
Read a story before in the bath!

favourite fairy tale!

going to sleep! GO FAR AWAY! RHYME TIME!

ONCE UPON
Re-read your

A TIME...
A GOOD START Pick a story Find a fun poem

1 3 Read the first

chapter of a book!
set in a far-off
country!
and read it out loud
to somebody...
7

SLEEPING IN!
VIRTUAL
STORYTELLER! 9 What about staying
in bed a little longer
11 12
their favourite story!

and reading a story?

READ ME YOUR

Ask someone you

know to read you

Read a tale on
WHO IS IT? REINVENT IT!
FAVOURITE!

a video call to
Read a non-fiction
TELL ME AGAIN
someone far away! Read a story –

10
story and then find and then come
Do you remember

8
out more facts up with a creative
your favourite tale? about its subject! new ending for it!
Re-tell it to someone!

© storytime magazine ltd 2021

WEEKLY READING CHART READI
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CATCH-UP
Print out a fresh
Every week, you should try to read at least 2 stories or read for 10 chart to fill in
minutes a day! Also, try to complete at least one challenge from this every week!
pack. Keep track of your progress all summer long – and don’t forget
to collect your Reading Reward Bookmarks!

DATE ______ / _______ / _______ WEEK

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

A story A story A story A story
10 minutes 10 minutes 10 minutes 10 minutes
A challenge A challenge A challenge A challenge
FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY NOTES
A story A story A story
10 minutes 10 minutes 10 minutes
A challenge A challenge A challenge
© storytime magazine ltd 2021
STORYTIME reading Cut out
and col
lect CATCH-UP
READI
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reward bookmarks them a

ll!
Print out these fun bookmarks. When you complete a challenge
in this pack, cut out the bookmark for that challenge as a reward!

I REVIEWED IT!
HERO CHALLENGE! WORD QUEST! STORY EXPERT!
ltd
ine © storytime magazine ltd
az
ag
ltd em e lt
d
ine azin
gaz rytim ag
e ma sto tim
em
tim © tory
tory ©s
©s

©s
tory
tim ©
em sto
ag ryt
azin im
e lt em
d
ag
© storytime magazine ltd az
ine
ltd
STORY HUNT!
LET’S GO ON A GRAMMAR MASTER!
DRAW IT!

© storytime magazine ltd 2021

 TOP TIPS TO KEEP READING READI
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CATCH-UP
Reading is fun, teaches you new things, and helps
you to do better at school! Here are some ideas to
keep your reading on track all year round...
Read together!
Grandparents,
Make some time Pages are more neighbours and friends
Read in a comfy
for reading every relaxing than screens! will be happy to share
place! Choose
day! Getting into Sometimes choose stories with you.
somewhere cosy, with
a rhythm helps. a book instead
good light and a bit of
of a tablet.
peace and quiet.
Read different
Always have a book things! Magazines are
Collect your rewards!
with you! That way, great fun, and you can
Complete challenges in
when you have a spare find ones on subjects like
this pack to earn all the Go back to your
moment, you can catch nature, sport, movies,
Keep a reading Storytime Reading favourites! You
up on your reading. science and technology.
log! Filling in a Rewards Bookmarks. don’t have to read new
reading log sheet stories all the time
helps to show – sometimes it is good
how far you to rediscover stories
have come. you love! © storytime magazine ltd 2021
About Storytime READI
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CATCH-UP
Storytime is the UK’s leading story magazine, and is read by thousands of children all over the world.

It was created to give parents and teachers a quality magazine that helps to improve children’s literacy – with no adverts and
no plastic toys, just great stories.

It’s a fact that many children prefer to read magazines rather than books – particularly reluctant readers. With Storytime,
children can enjoy stories in a format that is accessible for them. Of course, the high-quality illustrations and storytelling make
it appealing to avid book-readers too.

The short-story format and variety in each issue means it’s perfect for reading together at home. Reading with children –
even for just 10 minutes a day – can make a huge difference to their literacy.

DID YOU KNOW?

There are 8 short stories in every issue, including famous fairy tales, myths and legends, tales from other
cultures, fables, folk tales, and new stories from up-and-coming authors.
We include stories for children at different levels of reading ability, plus puzzles, games and activities, and
colourful illustrations to bring the tales all to life.
Storytime complements the National Curriculum and helps to develop reading, writing and comprehension skills.
Younger children will typically read Storytime with an adult, but children aged 7 and upwards may wish
to read it independently.
It’s a wonderful resource for children who have English as a second language.
It’s printed on high quality paper, so each issue lasts a long time.
Each issue arrives in a special envelope, so children have the excitement of receiving their own post!

© storytime magazine ltd 2021