Story Explorers
A book subscription service for ages 0-7+
Embed sharing stories at home to strengthen bonding and attachment for foster, kinship and adoptive families.
Introducing Story Explorers
Story Explorers:
- Ensures success with an evidence-based programme, designed with families and stakeholders and informed by BookTrust’s expertise in early years and experience delivering the Letterbox Club programme
- Equips families with the right books and skills to create fun, joyous experiences, through engaging, relatable books and connected activities
- Sparks enjoyment and exploration with a variety of story-sharing methods so each family can find what works for them
- Builds children’s confidence with open-ended activities and problem-solving tips
- Offers online support for parents, carers and practitioners and monthly kit delivery for families that builds anticipation and motivation around reading
Sharing stories helps to nurture feelings of stability, familiarity and security by sharing a regular, predictable, enjoyable experience during times of transition. These warm, joyous interactions build and strengthen bonds and attachment through shared attention, emotional availability, reciprocity and mutual enjoyment.
Read our latest research briefing here
Story Explorers offers a way for families to build a sense of familiarity, security and identity, which can improve placement stability and success. The programme can enhance the skills and experience of carers to have a positive impact on placement outcomes, carer recruitment and retention. Everything is direct-delivered and supported online, with no extra work for authorities or agencies.
At a glance:
- Designed for use by foster, kinship and adoption families
- For purchase by local authorities, fostering and adoption agencies
- £24.99 per child, per month
- Families are direct-delivered 1 new story kit per month
- Parents, carers and practitioners get access to expert support online
- Suitable for reading age 0-7 (story kits are designed for reading stage not age)
Story kits include:
- Choice of book buddy toy for each child, developing personal agency
- Story kits delivered directly to families, ensuring each child feels held in mind
- Two sensitively selected books chosen by experts and practitioners
- Exciting play resources and ‘curiosity cards’ to support connection and inspiration on how to engage with the stories
Online support for carers/parents and practitioners includes:
- Accessible, dedicated online hub for parents, carers and practitioners with tools and resources to scaffold confidence in reading together
- Monthly engagement with carers and parents to inspire and reinforce learning and practical use
- Dedicated practitioner area of online hub for professionals to support family engagement
- Flexible, evidence-based toolkit to deepen understanding and practical use
Story Explorers for local authorities and agencies
Story Explorers is designed with and for children, families and practitioners in fostering, adoption and kinship.
Story Explorers for parents and carers
Story Explorers is a fun, playful story sharing programme. It is designed to support children and carers/parents to enjoy the benefits of shared reading and create joyful moments together.
How sharing stories supports children
Our new research briefing outlines how sharing stories supports bonding, stability, identity, wellbeing, social and emotional growth and attainment. Find out about the learning with foster, kinship and adoptive families that underpins how Story Explorers is designed.