Storyhour 101: Tips for a Successful Storyhour

Storyhour Start-Up! Start by choosing a day (most bookstores hold their storyhours one to three days a week) and set a time for your event. Younger children have shorter attention spans, so your events can range from 20 to 40 minutes. Be aware of other local storyhour events in your area, so as not to overlap with a competing storyhour. Also, allow parents and caretakers enough time to go from one event to another. Storyhour and library events create a social circuit for parents, and they will attend more than one with their children!

Average Age: Set age levels for different storyhours. For example, 4 up for a storyhour and crafting event. Many stores also set themes for each storyhour event. This can help dictate the age level of your guests.

Spread the Word! Without having to spend a great deal of money on advertising, here are some suggestions on where and how to spread the word about your event. You may choose to advertise using a printed flyer, an online or printed newsletter, or a printed advertisement. In addition, use the enclosed Storyhour Event Announcement Easel to advertise upcoming storyhours.

Placement Suggestions:
• Mother’s groups
• Local listings and newspapers
• Nursery schools, day-care programs, after-school programs
• Local family publications
• Local community calendars
• If your store or library has a Web site, post photos of past storyhours and list upcoming events

Super Staffing: Calling all parents and caretakers! It is important that parents and caretakers be present during
storyhour events. However, your storyhour will encourage parents, caretakers, and kids to peruse all of your books, so prepare to have extra staff on hand if you choose to facilitate activities, games, or crafts.

Story Supplies: Have all materials set up ahead of time. If you are planning on playing games or making arts
and crafts be sure all supplies are easily accessible to your guests, and be sure to have enough for everyone.
Most bookstores and libraries report having anywhere from 5 to 15 child attendees at their storyhour events.

Storyteller Extraordinaire: For your storyhour events, be sure to choose a reader who will engage the audience and bring excitement to the event. You might already have a staff member with a knack for reading aloud. Some bookstores and libraries hire local performers, educators, former educators, or administrators to be their official storyteller.

Start with a Song! Some event leaders begin every storyhour with a song or fun rhyme that everyone recites together. This helps the group to focus, relax, and get ready to listen.

“Parents and kids look forward to their favorite storytellers and routines.”—Bookseller, Hullabaloo Bookstore

The Business of Storyhours: Storyhours are a fantastic way to boost booksales or book borrowing if you are a library. Many stores choose to discount the storybook that is being featured at a particular storyhour. Another idea is to designate a separate shelf or table each month that features titles read during storyhours.

“The sales on our [storyhour day] are 50% higher than our sales for any other day.”—Bookseller

Words of Wisdom: If you choose to have snacks at your storyhour event, be aware of common food allergies—peanuts or other nuts, dairy, and certain fruits. Always check with parents or caregivers before giving food to a child, and be sure to have a list of any ingredients on-hand.

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