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Storyworld
The Storyworld Box: Create-A-Story Kit
An ingenious toolkit for the imagination, designed to inspire storytellers of all ages.
Welcome to StoryWorld, a box containing forty cards that suggest a myriad of characters, places, and objects that you can use to create your own story. Pick a handful of cards and use their pictures and words as inspiration. You can tell a new story every time the box is opened. Discover more ideas about how to use the cards in THE STORYTELLING BOOK, packed with tips and ideas for creating your story, games to play with the cards, and a sample story written using the cards.
Welcome to StoryWorld, a box containing forty cards that suggest a myriad of characters, places, and objects that you can use to create your own story. Pick a handful of cards and use their pictures and words as inspiration. You can tell a new story every time the box is opened. Discover more ideas about how to use the cards in THE STORYTELLING BOOK, packed with tips and ideas for creating your story, games to play with the cards, and a sample story written using the cards.
- GenresNonfictionWritingGames
Cards
First published June 1, 2009
About the author
John Matthews
360 books181 followersJohn Matthews is an historian, folklorist and author. He has been a full time writer since 1980 and has produced over ninety books on the Arthurian Legends and Grail Studies, as well as short stories and a volume of poetry. He has devoted much of the past thirty years to the study of Arthurian Traditions and myth in general. His best known and most widely read works are ‘Pirates’ (Carlton/Atheneum), No 1 children’s book on the New York Times Review best-seller list for 22 weeks in 2006, ‘The Grail, Quest for Eternal Life’ (Thames & Hudson, 1981) ‘The Encyclopaedia of Celtic Wisdom’ (Element, 1994) and ‘The Winter Solstice’ (Quest Books, 1999) which won the Benjamin Franklin Award for that year. His book ‘Celtic Warrior Chiefs’ was a New York Public Library recommended title for young people.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 2, 2019
Bought this box ten years ago and it's still a great way to get inspired.
December 28, 2021
I purchased the book as a gift to myself several years ago. I now use it to write stories about storytelling for change. The illustrations are beautiful, and the whole kit, book and storytelling cards, are a source of inspiration. Here's the first story I wrote, inspired by the kit: https://did.li/hihaa
December 29, 2010
This is also on my review blog, Clover Hill Book Reviews.
I have to be honest about the cover on this - the Amazon picture on the left really doesn't do it justice at all. The colour of the hard backed cover of the case is an antique yellow, with very intricate and eye catching illustrations on both sides, and mini illustrations of a couple of the storytelling cards on the middle of the cover. This review is for the starter storytelling pack. Additional Storyworld cards are available, (reviews to follow on a couple).
This was a pure delight to open. Both of the Young Reviewers were in awe from the moment they opened the package, which is always a fantastic start! The top opens like a book; the first half contains a book within it's dvd type cardboard holder, whilst the bottom half contains the 40 gorgeous Storyworld cards. This is a total work of art from start to finish, and is exceptionally well presented.
The idea behind this is so simple, and very worthwhile. Beautifully illustrated cards are used as prompts to aid in storytelling. The included storytelling book details how the 40 cards could be used, along with more in depth ideas for each of them. On the reverse of each card is a brief description, along with three questions to help storytellers to use them as an aid in their stories. Each card is stunning. That's the only word that describes them for me.
The cards have enough detail to help even the most shyest storyteller want to have a go. I can say this confidently as a parent. Our youngest reviewer who's 4, loves stories. He loves listening to them and preempting what is coming - as long as he knows the story. Since these arrived, every night he's not just wanted stories. He's wanted to *make* stories and rushes upstairs in anticipation of it! I love it. Whilst I'm not suggesting all children will behave in this way, Storyworld is becoming a fantastic part of our evening, and has brought everything from fairies to knights and rainbows into our childrens imagination and storytelling. It's giving them the confidence to think about how a story is made up, to learn from each other, and to share, whilst encouraging them to expand on their skills.
I haven't used the book that came with the cards much at the moment, I didn't want to be too rigid. It's worked well so far and the cards are so detailed we've all found a new story to tell (and yes, us adults take part too each evening). For usability these are great. As a parent I always look for value for money in things we use regularly...this has by far exceeded my expectations, and there's a lot more stories to come yet!
In summary, this is truly stunning, with beautiful illustrations on each and every of the 40 tell your own story cards, presented in a book presentation format and ready to use, alongside a storytelling book. Storyworld provides the inspiration. The only thing needed is a tiny bit of imagination and you're away.
A few words from Harry, 4:
I like all of it!
A few words from Shaun, 8:
Very, very, very good. I like being able to make up my own stories using the cards.
I have to be honest about the cover on this - the Amazon picture on the left really doesn't do it justice at all. The colour of the hard backed cover of the case is an antique yellow, with very intricate and eye catching illustrations on both sides, and mini illustrations of a couple of the storytelling cards on the middle of the cover. This review is for the starter storytelling pack. Additional Storyworld cards are available, (reviews to follow on a couple).
This was a pure delight to open. Both of the Young Reviewers were in awe from the moment they opened the package, which is always a fantastic start! The top opens like a book; the first half contains a book within it's dvd type cardboard holder, whilst the bottom half contains the 40 gorgeous Storyworld cards. This is a total work of art from start to finish, and is exceptionally well presented.
The idea behind this is so simple, and very worthwhile. Beautifully illustrated cards are used as prompts to aid in storytelling. The included storytelling book details how the 40 cards could be used, along with more in depth ideas for each of them. On the reverse of each card is a brief description, along with three questions to help storytellers to use them as an aid in their stories. Each card is stunning. That's the only word that describes them for me.
The cards have enough detail to help even the most shyest storyteller want to have a go. I can say this confidently as a parent. Our youngest reviewer who's 4, loves stories. He loves listening to them and preempting what is coming - as long as he knows the story. Since these arrived, every night he's not just wanted stories. He's wanted to *make* stories and rushes upstairs in anticipation of it! I love it. Whilst I'm not suggesting all children will behave in this way, Storyworld is becoming a fantastic part of our evening, and has brought everything from fairies to knights and rainbows into our childrens imagination and storytelling. It's giving them the confidence to think about how a story is made up, to learn from each other, and to share, whilst encouraging them to expand on their skills.
I haven't used the book that came with the cards much at the moment, I didn't want to be too rigid. It's worked well so far and the cards are so detailed we've all found a new story to tell (and yes, us adults take part too each evening). For usability these are great. As a parent I always look for value for money in things we use regularly...this has by far exceeded my expectations, and there's a lot more stories to come yet!
In summary, this is truly stunning, with beautiful illustrations on each and every of the 40 tell your own story cards, presented in a book presentation format and ready to use, alongside a storytelling book. Storyworld provides the inspiration. The only thing needed is a tiny bit of imagination and you're away.
A few words from Harry, 4:
I like all of it!
A few words from Shaun, 8:
Very, very, very good. I like being able to make up my own stories using the cards.
June 30, 2011
Open your eyes to world of possibilities. Waiting within the cards are stories upon stories just asking to be told. From characters that include Princes & Kings to places like The Wishing Tree & The Labyrinth, it’s only up to the storyteller to decide which to choose. Pick a few cards and set off on a journey into the magical unknown and possibly even find a few hidden treasures along the way. Now only you, the storyteller, can decide what the outcome of your journey will be.
This is an absolutely brilliant idea, especially for young readers. It actually reminds me of a game I once played with a friend. In the game she had three specific things she ask about, like a place or something, and your answers would determine the way the story would play out. StoryWorld is quite a bit like the game I played with her only flipped. In these stories you create the stories with the items you select from the set of cards. What I enjoyed the most about this set in particular is that not only is it based heavily in the fantasy genre, but that because of that it lends itself rather well to encouraging creativity. Which is something that can often be difficult for visual thinkers. By viewing the cards while creating a story using the questions on the backs of each card it could easily kick-start those creative juices.
If I had any hang ups about the set at all it would be that I’m a fairly shy person. Yes, I know, this may be hard for you all to believe, but honestly it’s quite a bit easier to type behind a computer than chat in person for me. StoryWorld gives a few different options for creating and sharing stories, one of them being in a group setting (2 or potentially quite a few more) and another with your parents. Well, where I’m concerned I found this to be extremely difficult. It could be really fun with a large group, one sentence per person, but with just 2 or 3 I think I’d feel intimidated coming up with something on the spot. My alternative…create it on paper and then share it! I think this could also be fantastic for classrooms as well and teachers could definitely benefit from the aid of the set.
Magical journeys begin with only a few cards and a bit of inspiration from some clever questions in the StoryWorld: Create-A-Story Kit. For young readers who love a fantastic adventure or those who may need a kick-start to get the creative juices flowing, this kit will definitely help. Not only that, but teachers of young readers and future storytellers will want to incorporate this into a classroom setting to provide even more opportunities for growth. StoryWorld is like no other book you’ve ever read before, because it’s the book you create from beginning to end.
Originally reviewed & copyrighted on my site, There's A Book.
This is an absolutely brilliant idea, especially for young readers. It actually reminds me of a game I once played with a friend. In the game she had three specific things she ask about, like a place or something, and your answers would determine the way the story would play out. StoryWorld is quite a bit like the game I played with her only flipped. In these stories you create the stories with the items you select from the set of cards. What I enjoyed the most about this set in particular is that not only is it based heavily in the fantasy genre, but that because of that it lends itself rather well to encouraging creativity. Which is something that can often be difficult for visual thinkers. By viewing the cards while creating a story using the questions on the backs of each card it could easily kick-start those creative juices.
If I had any hang ups about the set at all it would be that I’m a fairly shy person. Yes, I know, this may be hard for you all to believe, but honestly it’s quite a bit easier to type behind a computer than chat in person for me. StoryWorld gives a few different options for creating and sharing stories, one of them being in a group setting (2 or potentially quite a few more) and another with your parents. Well, where I’m concerned I found this to be extremely difficult. It could be really fun with a large group, one sentence per person, but with just 2 or 3 I think I’d feel intimidated coming up with something on the spot. My alternative…create it on paper and then share it! I think this could also be fantastic for classrooms as well and teachers could definitely benefit from the aid of the set.
Magical journeys begin with only a few cards and a bit of inspiration from some clever questions in the StoryWorld: Create-A-Story Kit. For young readers who love a fantastic adventure or those who may need a kick-start to get the creative juices flowing, this kit will definitely help. Not only that, but teachers of young readers and future storytellers will want to incorporate this into a classroom setting to provide even more opportunities for growth. StoryWorld is like no other book you’ve ever read before, because it’s the book you create from beginning to end.
Originally reviewed & copyrighted on my site, There's A Book.
September 11, 2013
This is actually one of the best items I own -- a random find. So beautiful and creative, fantastic to get the imagination going.
Will look into buying these for friends (who are teachers) and family members.
Will look into buying these for friends (who are teachers) and family members.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews