"Brilliant Bookworms"

By Jennifer Kraar
© April 2008

The Brilliant Bookworms is a group of about 20 3rd - 5th graders who love telling stories. With the help of two mentor middle schoolers and the school librarian, the Pittsburgh group plays storytelling games and learns to perform stories. Four years ago a young 5th grader initiated the club. Since then the Brilliant Bookworms have shared stories throughout their community; the Brilliant Bookworms have told tales at the library for a Halloween party, at an outdoor StoryWalk event, at a local museum, and of course at our own school. A favorite event has been the Pajama Party Storytelling Benefit. Everyone enjoys an evening of stories while sporting their favorite bedtime attire. The proceeds from this event go our adopted library in Mississippi, which was destroyed by Katrina. The Bookworms have some favorite stories such as: Tailypo, The Horned Animals Party, The Runaway Tortilla, No Dinner!, and The Paper Bag Princess.