Tales & Co.

Teaching English Through Storytelling

Stories are a natural way for children to discover language. They give English a context, a purpose and a meaning — helping children listen, understand, speak and interact while becoming immersed in a world they can see, imagine and make their own.

At Chatterbox, we use storytelling to turn picture books and stories into engaging English learning experiences. Our resources combine storytelling with language development, communication, creativity and thinking skills, with activities designed to help children move from understanding language to using it.

Here you’ll find practical, ready-to-use English storytelling lesson plans, classroom activities and Story Box ideas for primary learners, together with resources for CLIL, seasonal learning and other classroom contexts.

Whether you are new to teaching English through stories or already use storytelling regularly, explore our collection and find ideas you can take straight into your classroom.

Explore our storytelling resources

Ten Delicious Teachers by Ross Montgomery and Sarah Warburton

Back to school… with a deliciously wicked twist! 🍎📚 A hilarious rhyming adventure, perfect for counting, classroom vocabulary and getting back into the school-story mood. ✨ Topic: back to school / counting / school rules Level : A1 Thinking skills: LOTS remembering understanding HOTS organizing information (sequencing) active listening Language skills: speaking and listening YOUR STORYBOX Prepare a story box with elements that make children think about the subject of the st

10 set

What's the Time Mr Wolf? by Colin Hawkins

“What’s the time, Mr. Wolf?”—a question that turns play into courage and fear into forward motion. Every step you take, even in uncertainty, is a story of bravery waiting to be told.

13 mag

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson

An all time children classic to explore language and boost imagination, while building confidence in young learners

6 mag

How to choose the perfect story book

Selecting the right storybook can spark curiosity, ignite imagination, and turn a simple lesson into a memorable journey—captivating students’ attention and allowing them to truly connect with and benefit from the experience. Here are 5 features you need to look for when choosing a book: Level As a teacher you will find yourself with classes made of students with a variety of language levels. Also, because authentic storybooks are not specifically written for foreign language

25 mar

How to catch a Leprechaun by Adam Wallace

Can you outsmart a sneaky leprechaun? Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with this fun and imaginative story that encourages creativity and problem-solving. TOPIC : St Patrick's Day / Ireland / Rooms of the house / household objects AGE GROUP : 6-10 year olds THINKING SKILLS : LOTS remembering understanding HOTS sequencing organizing information creating team work VOCABULARY : New: leprechaun / pot of gold/ rainbow/ shamrock Review: rooms of the house / household objects MATERIALS :

11 mar

5 classroom activities you can develop from storytelling

Storytelling enhances learning by transforming abstract information into engaging, memorable narratives that boost retention. Storytelling is considered one of the best educational methods to develop students metacognitive awareness, hence help them to learn faster, remember more effectively and improve overall personal wellbeing. Here are 5 classroom activities you can develop from storytelling: 1 - Sequencing Stories are perfect for sequencing activities. These can be used

18 feb

Mr Wolf's Pancakes by Jan Fearnley

Celebrate Pancake Day in style with a fun and engaging story that explores the importance of helping others, kindness, teamwork—and what can happen when these qualities are missing. TOPIC : Pancake Day/ food / cooking process AGE GROUP : 6-10 years old LANGUAGE SKILLS : speaking and listening / some writing THINKING SKILLS LOTS: remembering, understanding HOTS: analyzing, creating SEL COMPONENT : teamwork / helping others / kindness VOCABULARY : food / cooking verbs STORY BO

11 feb

The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle

Teach farm animals and the importance of concentration with this simple, yet rhythmic and engaging story which offers a perfect example of how plain language and repetition can engage learners. TOPIC : farm animals AGE GROUP : 6-10 years old LANGUAGE SKILLS : speaking and listening THINKING SKILLS LOTS: remembering HOTS: matching, sequencing, creating and understanding SEL COMPONENT : importance of concentration when working VOCABULARY : farm animals / verbs STORY BOX : cre

4 feb

The Mixed Up Chameleon by Eric Carle

Teach colours and wild animals with this charming and thoughtful story that explores what it means to be yourself. TOPIC : colours / wild animals AGE GROUP : 6-10 years old LANGUAGE SKILLS : speaking and listening THINKING SKILLS LOTS: remembering HOTS: sequencing, organizing, analyzing, creating, cross-curricular links (science) SEL COMPONENT : self identity / confidence VOCABULARY : colours / wild animals / pets / farm animals / insects / adjectives STORY BOX : create a sto

28 gen

5 cross curricular links offered by The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle - 5 storytelling cross curricular links

Find out how this timeless story can link to other curricular subjects, to create a 360° school project for primary school students.

19 gen

Little Red Riding Hood

Teach body parts at primary school, with one of the most popular stories of all times. Our Little Red Riding Hood story box ✨📚 A timeless fairy tale your students will love! Little Red Riding Hood is perfect for exploring new vocabulary such as body parts and important themes like safety. Ideal for discussions 💬 and creative activities 🎨✏️ in primary classrooms. A classic story that never fails to engage young learners TOPIC : body parts / safety / listening / consequence

14 gen

Winnie and Wilbur Meet Santa by Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul

A Christmas lesson plan for primary school teachers There’s something magical about stories that sparkle with festive cheer, and Winnie and Wilbur Meet Santa brings that magic to life in the most delightfully chaotic way. This charming picture book follows everyone’s favourite spell-casting duo—Winnie the Witch and her lovable cat, Wilbur—as they tumble into a Christmas Eve adventure filled with mishaps, laughter, and a sprinkle of holiday wonder. TOPICS : Christmas / team w

5 dic 2025