BookPlay is a version of Porridge & Play that uses a rich children’s book as the stimulus for imaginary play.

Following a variety of games from the Lickety Playcard repertoire, Licketyspit actor-pedagogues read an illustrated storybook to participating children and parents, inviting the children to help them interpret the pictures and story. They then talk about the story with the children, before inviting them to recreate it with a dressing up bag of old clothes, and their imagination!

In acting out the story, the children are free to add new ideas and elements, and the adventure gradually moves from adult-led to child-led play. The session ends with Reflective Drawing and the Lickety Gallery where everyone is invited to present their artwork and talk about their experience of the session.

Books we explore include The Jumblies (based on the Edward Lear poem) and Angelo by Quentin Blake. We use books that are accessible to our youngest participants, while being rich enough to inspire our older children. These long-standing and well-loved children’s books are easily accessible in local libraries and can be found in most bookshops or online.  If you would like to suggest a book you think would make a great BookPlay session, do let us know by email or social media.

BookPlay developed out of Porridge & Play and features in Big Porridge & Play as one of the 8 weekly sessions that take place during this project. BookPlay also takes place in collaboration with libraries such as Drumbrae Library Hub, as part of our Western Edinburgh collaboration, and we look forward to further developing BookPlay with Glasgow Libraries and Edinburgh Libraries.