National Storytelling Week 2025
The Power of Stories: Celebrating National Storytelling Week
National Storytelling Week is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the timeless art of storytelling. Stories have been passed down through generations, shaping cultures, inspiring imaginations, and creating connections. For young people in foster care, storytelling and reading can be especially powerful tools that offer comfort, understanding, and a sense of belonging.

Why Stories Matter in Foster Care
For children and young people who have experienced significant changes and challenges, books can be a source of stability and reassurance. Stories provide a safe space to explore emotions, understand complex situations, and see the world from different perspectives. They can help foster children feel less alone, offering characters and narratives that reflect their own experiences or introduce them to new possibilities.
Books can also play a vital role in building connections between foster carers and young people. Reading together fosters a sense of closeness, creating shared moments of calm and comfort. It can be as simple as a bedtime story that becomes a cherished routine or discussing a book’s characters to open up meaningful conversations.
The Benefits of Reading for Young People in Foster Care
- Emotional Support: Stories can help children process their feelings, providing relatable characters who navigate similar emotions or situations.
- Building Resilience: Reading about characters who overcome challenges can inspire young people to develop their own coping skills.
- Language and Literacy Development: Regular reading enhances vocabulary, comprehension, and communication skills, supporting educational progress.
- Fostering Imagination: Books encourage creativity, allowing young people to dream, imagine, and explore beyond their current circumstances.
- Strengthening Bonds: Shared reading time strengthens relationships, creating opportunities for connection and trust-building.
Tips for Foster Carers During National Storytelling Week
- Create a Reading Routine: Incorporate regular storytime into your daily schedule, whether it’s bedtime reading or a quiet afternoon activity.
- Let Them Choose: Empower young people to pick books that interest them. This fosters a love of reading and gives them a sense of control.
- Be Interactive: Ask questions about the story, discuss characters’ feelings, and encourage young people to share their thoughts.
- Share Your Own Stories: Storytelling doesn’t have to come from a book. Share personal stories, family traditions, or create new tales together.
- Visit Libraries: Exploring a library can be an exciting adventure, offering access to a wide range of books and fostering a love for reading.
Recommended Reads for Foster Families
- The Invisible String by Patrice Karst – A beautiful story about the invisible connections that bind us to those we love.
- The Colour Monster by Anna Llenas – A great book for younger children to explore and understand emotions.
- Wonder by R.J. Palacio – A heartwarming novel about kindness, acceptance, and resilience.
- The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Raúf – A powerful story about friendship and empathy.
- Ruby’s Worry by Tom Percival – A helpful book for talking about anxiety and how sharing worries can make them smaller.
Final Thoughts
National Storytelling Week is more than just celebrating books—it’s about the connections we create through stories. For young people in foster care, a simple story can be a gateway to healing, growth, and hope. This week, take the time to read, share, and discover the transformative power of storytelling together.
Happy National Storytelling Week from all of us at Lorimer Fostering!
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