Overview and Outcomes:

We advise that practitioners plan and conduct a trip to a local museum at the beginning of this Story Sapling. In this ten-stage Story Sapling, the children discover items left by an Expert Collector with a note and the collector’s song. Children begin to explore the items; classifying and sorting them according to a range of properties. Through interactive reading, children role-play as collectors and compose instructions. To organise their collections, children create catalogue entries for visitors to the class museum. As collectors, the children receive fan mail which inspires them to write their own. The museum needs additions such as signage and a café for which children write commands and menus. Having collected their dreams and aspirations, the museum is opened for visitors and children create and share brochures.

Synopsis of Text:

These Are My Rocks is an interactive picture book by Bethan Woollvin that celebrates the joy of collecting. The narrator, a mystery expert collector, takes readers on a tour of their diverse collections including big and small things and stinky and broken things. Children are encouraged to interact by pointing, making noises, and clapping while sparking a passion for collecting.

Text Rationale:

This book from vibrant author-illustrator, Bethan Woollvin, rejoices in the art of collecting. Bethan Woollvin, recipient of the Macmillan Prize for the illustration of her debut book, Little Red, uses screen printing and bold colours and shapes to represent the curated collections, from rocks to wobbly things. This universally appealing book gently forefronts special interests and celebrates all children’s, but especially SEND learners’, passion for collecting and categorising. By spotlighting the narrator’s lovingly sorted objects, the reader reflects on our own differences and how these are manifested in the items we treasure. Early years children will be drawn to the humour, vivid illustrations and interactive elements of the text.

Links and Themes:

Collecting, sorting, museums, hopes and dreams, past and present

Date written: April 2026