Do you love reading? Do you love adventures and exploring new worlds? If you answered yes, Story Explorer is the group for you!
Story Explorer is a FREE interactive book group for children aged 7-12 years (School Years 4-7), featuring reading, writing and design activities. The group is based at Keighley Library during term time and led by experienced DBS-checked leader Adrian Thompson.
Over a number of weeks, children will work through an exciting book for their age group – exploring the book’s themes and characters as they read! In the process they will learn new words, imagine new worlds from different characters’ points of view, and craft a range of designs including their own book and party decorations. Each week the group will also try out fun ways to write their own stories and poems with creative writing games and top tips.
To sign up, drop us an email at hello@wordupnorth.org.uk
Keighley Library, every Saturday during term time from 10am-12pm.
Dates for the 2026 Autumn Term are:
Sat 19 September
Sat 26 September
Sat 3 October
Sat 10 October
Sat 17 October
*No sessions Sat 24 & Sat 31 October – half term*
Sat 7 November
Sat 14 November
Sat 21 November
Sat 28 November
Our Story Explorer packs are digitised activity booklets and are available to download for free below. These packs are designed to be reading accompaniments and can be used to help children work through and get the most out of an exciting book for their age group.
You’ll need a physical, digital or audio copy of your chosen book, access to a computer, tablet or printer to view the activity sheets and a pen and paper. Use the pack to work your way through the book and get the most out of your reading experience!
The Weirdstone of Brisingamen by Alan Garner is a classic children’s fantasy novel steeped in English folklore, tradition, mythology and mystery. The novel tells the story of Colin and Susan who must fight off dark spirits, a sorceress and an evil wizard, who all wish to find and destroy a special stone that wields magical power.
Tilly and the Book Wanderers is the first in the series. In the book, Tilly and her friend Oskar learn how to enter books and together they slowly learn how to travel safely. In the process, they introduce the reader to many other books written over the past 150 years, some of which they may have read, listened to or watched, and others who they may want to encounter in the future.Use the pack to work your way through the book and get the most out of your reading experience!
The Boy at the Back of the Class was the first book written by author andactivist Onjali Q Raúf and was published in 2018. It tells the story of a young boy named Ahmet, a refugee from Syria, who starts at a new school after being separated from his family on his journey to London. Four children in his class determine to become his friends and to reunite him with his family. It deals with very serious subjects, including war, death and racist bullying, all from the viewpoint of one of those children.
Story Explorers is proudly supported by Ilkley Book Club.