The Storyworld Box: Create-A-Story Kit [Cards]

When I first saw this card set in the Candlewick catalog, I thought it seemed like a pretty nifty idea. Using illustrated cards to make up stories seems like it would be a great way to help kids who are a bit lacking in the imagination department. When the set actually arrived, it wasn't at all what I had thought. It was much, much more!

These are not just simple story cards jammed in a box. Every last detail has been carefully planned so this feels like something special from the first moment you lay your hands on the set. It may appear to be a book, but the front covers opens up like a door to reveal a second, smaller windowed door. Lift the black ribbon tab to access the stack of forty storytelling cards and the instruction booklet nestled inside.

Phenomenal illustrations grace these cards, each one a work of art. Templar Publishing brought together some of Britain's finest contemporary illustrators to produce this exquisite original artwork. The cards come from four worlds, with ten cards from each of the following: The World of Everyday, The World of Magic, The Realm of the Court, The Land of Faery. Each card suggests a person, character, place or special object.

On the back of each card are several questions, which direct you to think a bit more about where to go with the story. "Who lives in the little house? What lies beyond the mountains? What is the eagle looking for?" You don't have to use these, but they provide a bit of direction if you feel stuck as to which direction you want your story to take.
The instruction booklet is very clear about one thing: there are no rules with these cards. The only limit to what you can do with these cards is your own imagination. They do give some great suggestions of ways to use the cards, which is helpful. Select a few cards to give to a parent as a base for a bedtime story, pack the cards for a long car trip, or take turns drawing from a pile when telling a story with a large group. These are very versatile and can be used with any number of people.

Select a handful of cards, use the pictures as a jumping off point, the leading questions as pathways and become a storyteller. These cards are so unique and beautiful - unlike any other children's card set that I have seen. I love that they are designed to unlock the doors of the child's imagination - a true gift.

Instead of reading this review, just order Storyworld.

My child (8) can't put the cards down. Everyday, he creates the most wonderful, strange and fantastical tales. Sometimes he'll choose one card and tell a story about the character or place. Other times he'll turn them over, slowly, one after another, each new card a turn in the tale he's telling. He'll sometimes draw parts of his story. Yesterday, he was writing while using them and when I asked him what he was doing, he told me: "These are helping me write a novel."

The art is beautiful and haunting, the images on each card draw you into magical worlds which then you get to describe. Children, artists, writers, teachers and therapists should not be without Storyworld. In our world filled with advertisement laden television, here is something more than mere distraction. A way back into the Forest of Tales! The descriptions of the cards and the characters and the suggestions for motifs and story elements are inspiring, deeply infused and influenced by the authors' encyclopedic knowledge of folklore and fairytales.

I think anyone who sees these cards will find themselves returning to them again and again. I have given them as gifts and people are always intrigued and delighted. Here is a toy that no one will ever grow out of. Small enough to take on trips. Great for the car or long plane rides.

I am a writer, a teacher, and a parent and I cannot recommend John and Caitlin Matthews' STORYWORLD enough. A wonderful gift that will bring delight, creative play, and imagination to every family.

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.