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The Linking Network and British Library are delighted to be working in partnership.

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The Linking Network and British Library are delighted to be working in partnership.

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Step Inside Your Story Resources

Please find below a range of wonderful resources from the British Library to support you to deliver your Primary Schools Linking Identity work. Many of these resources can be used to inspire your children before they create their own zig zag books.

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Stories come from everywhere and can be told by anyone! This activity will help you put yourself at the heart of your own story. You can explore what makes you special and then take your readers on a journey.

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Children’s Laureate, Joseph Coelho, shows that anyone can be the star of a story and anyone can be an author.

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Step inside your story, introduction with Joseph Coelho

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Travel the world with a pencil case, collect words, and share thrills and tingles in Joseph Coelho’s exploration of his poetic past.

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Now you’re ready to write your story!

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Take one of the strips. Fold it in half, so the two short edges meet.

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Fold your paper in half again. Turn the paper over and do the same on the other side.

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Now cut along the fold to make two long strips.

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Take one of the strips. Fold it in half, so the two short edges meet.

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Fold your paper in half again. Turn the paper over and do the same on the other side.

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If you want to make a longer book, do the same with the second strip of paper. Glue the two strips together.

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You could add cardboard covers.

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Get lots more tips and ideas from your favourite authors and illustrators. Watch the videos to see their handmade concertina books!

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Join S F Said as he reveals his answers to tricky questions – who are you, where do you belong, how do you pronounce your name?

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Step inside your story with Malorie Blackman

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Step inside your story with Malorie Blackman

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Follow Malorie Blackman's top tips to stepping inside your story.

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Step Inside Your Story with Malorie Blackman

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Two pages from Planet Omar, by Zanib Mian, illustrated by Nasaya Mafaridik, 2019. Usage terms below.

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1. The character of you

In Planet Omar, the writer Zanib Mian shows us character sketches to help us get to know Omar and his family.

Make a sketch of yourself. You could look in the mirror!

Add notes about:

What you look like

The things you say, and things you do

What you like and dislike

What makes you laugh.

Is your hair swishy like a mermaid or spiky like a punk?

What puts an enormous smile on your face?

What makes you so shy or cross your skin rages like river?

Omar tells us all sorts of things about his life at home, at school and in his imagination. Inside his head lives an enormous dragon…

Who lives inside your head? It might be a cuddly cat when you’re feeling content? A striped tiger when you’re angry or scared?

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Rocket from Look Up! by Nathan Bryon, illustrated by Dapo Adeola. Usage terms below.

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2. Your spark!

Everyone has something about them that makes them who they are – their own special spark or power.

In the story Look Up!, the character Rocket loves space and looking at the stars!

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Rocket, wearing a cardboard box as part of a pretend play costume, is running and is followed by a cat wearing an orange top. 

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Rough sketches for Loud! by Rose Robbins. The sketches show Abigail practising with the band and getting upset. Usage terms below.

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In Loud!, Abigail discovers that she can channel her noisy voice and limitless energy into something wonderful: she realises she is a brilliant singer! She is invited to join her classmates’ new rock band, and they perform at the school talent show where they ‘shine like stars’.

Have a think about what your ‘spark’ might be.

It could be:

Something you love doing

A special talent you have

A part of your personality – your kindness; your funny robot dance; your loud laugh; your memory

A dream or wish

Something you want to do when you grow up

You could ask someone else to tell you what’s special about you.

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Rough sketches for Loud! by Rose Robbins. The sketches show Abigail practising with the band and getting upset. / © Development sketches, roughs and unpublished alternative covers for “Loud!” by Rose Robbins (2021). 

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Children performing on a stage in See What I Can Do! by Jon Roberts, illustrated by Hannah Rounding, 2021. Usage terms below.

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The children in See What I Can Do have different likes and dislikes, needs and challenges. Sadie adores gymnastics and her friend Summer finds joy in dancing and singing. They have Down’s Syndrome which makes their bodies develop differently. Jayden and Elsie are brilliant performers and storytellers. They have ADHD, and they like talking and showing off at high volume!

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3. Your world

Storymakers use the world around them to help build the world of their stories.

Think about your home, your school, your favourite place or the places you spend time in your daily life.

You could use a photo or draw a picture.

What can you see there? (Big buildings, hills, a massive sky?)

What can you hear there? (swooping birds, trundling traffic, ice cream vans, the whoops and songs of the playground?)

What can you smell there? (the salty sea, the bread from the bakery, fumes from cars and motorbikes?)

What does it feel like to be there?

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Nimesh the Adventurer swims through the classroom ocean, by Ranjit Singh, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini, 2018. Usage terms below.

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4. Let your imagination loose!

In Nimesh the Adventurer, Nimesh uses his imagination to turn his life into an exciting fantasy.

His classroom becomes an ancient cave inhabited by a dragon; the school corridor is the bottom of the ocean.

What magical elements can you add to your real world?

What's the best way you use your imagination?

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Nimesh is wearing a scuba diving outfit and swimming through a classroom.

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5. Dig deeper into who you are...

Try asking yourselves the following questions:

What do you love more than anything in the world?

What interesting adventures have you had?

When did you overcome a challenge or find your voice?

If you were an animal, what would you be?

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6. Step back in time

In Keep Dancing Lizzie Chu by Maisie Chan, Lizzie's grandpa tells her stories about Chinese legends and the Goddess Guan Yin. Lizzie also loves Strictly Come Dancing and the beach in Blackpool. These old tales and the seaside culture are all part of her heritage. As she goes on her road trip to Blackpool, Lizzie finds out all about Guan Yin's ancient journey, and the stories from the past inspire her to keep going on her own challenging journey.

In The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries, by J.T. Williams, we find out all about the vibrant Black community that existed in the UK 300 years ago. J.T. says, ‘I grew up in London and I love walking its streets and learning about its past. History is filled with fascinating stories! For centuries, London has been a diverse city, home to people from Africa and the Caribbean and all over the world. When I discovered the stories of the Black communities living in Georgian London I was amazed. Now, when I’m walking, I can imagine those people of African heritage, walking the very same streets all those years ago. It’s like conjuring a whole new world!’

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A journey

Is there a special journey you or your family or a loved one has been on that is a powerful part of who you are? Perhaps you or your family members once lived in a different place to where they live today.

Stories handed down through time

Maybe you've been gifted a story from a grandparent, parent, carer or teacher that's been magical and meaningful to you.

An object

Look for objects from the past - books, buttons, newspapers, diaries, letters. Maybe there's a recipe for a cake, curry or jollof rice that's been handed down through generations. What do they make you think or feel? If you were a museum, what would be in your glass cases?

A moment in time

Think about a time in the past that's an important part of you. It could be a memory from when you were younger - a story someone told you, a meal you ate, a walk you took, a journey you went on.

A Place

Is there a place in your neighbourhood from long ago that fascinates you - a street, a lighthouse, an old library, your school building, a river? Research it and find out more...

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Now you’re ready to write your story!

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Examples of a zigzag book from Corpus Christy Primary School in Glasgow

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Examples of zigzag books from Chant Primary School in Luton

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Examples of children's zigzag books from English Martyrs Catholic Primary School in Wakefield.

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FREE British Library Discovering Children's Books events

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FREE British Library Discovering Children's Books events

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Book your places for our FREE livestreamed October events with authors JT Williams and Maisie Chan, focussing on delving into the past and exploring identity and heritage. We're inviting students to make their own concertina books, explore their identities, and write stories in which they are the stars. Step Inside Your Story is all about celebrating representation and reminding children that anyone can be the star of a story and everyone can be an author. We'd love you and your students to join us.

Authors-into-schools event

Thursday 10 October
Years 3 – 6
Free livestreamed event

To celebrate representation and inclusivity, join authors J T Williams and Maisie Chan to discover how children can become the stars of their own stories. Inspire your students to explore their identities and heritage, and create their very own books. Perfect as a 'getting to know you' activity for the start of the new year.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/free-primary-school-livestreamed-event-step-inside-your-story-2024-tickets-1002885546667?aff=oddtdtcreator

Thursday 3 October
Teachers of Years 3 – 6
Free livestreamed event
English, Literacy

J T Williams, Maisie Chan, CLPE's Farrah Serroukh and Professor Karen Sands O'Connor will explore cultural heritage, identity, inclusion and representation in children's books. Discover authors' inspiration, from Chinese legend to Black Georgians, find out more about CLPE's groundbreaking Reflecting Realities research, and get tips for how to engage your students in our Step Inside Your Story project in your classroom.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/free-primary-school-teachers-cpd-discover-who-you-are-tickets-1003030440047?aff=oddtdtcreator

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Free packs:

Each term we offer packs of thematically-related books to schools with higher-than-average numbers of children eligible for pupil premium, free schools meals or pupil equity funding. Schools can apply by emailing childrensbooks@bl.uk and stating the following:

Teacher's name

Teacher's role

Year group

Number of children who will benefit and/or are likely to engage with our books and activities

School postal address

Percentage of children eligible for pupil premium, free schools meals or pupil equity funding

Please note, we will select schools on a first come first served basis.