BAG BOOKS

Bag Books is a UK charity uniquely enhancing the lives of children and adults with complex learning disabilities through multi-sensory books and storytelling.

Over 3000 people

…took part in a Bag Books storytelling session last year

Over 370

…teachers, librarians and caregivers took part in our MSST training sessions last year

89% of special schools

…have a Bag Book

What We Do

CREATING MULTI-SENSORY BOOKS

Designed for people with complex learning disabilities, our handcrafted books transform storytelling into a rich, immersive experience. Each book is carefully tailored to engage the senses, making storytelling a truly inclusive, enjoyable, and meaningful experience for everyone.

STORYTELLING SESSIONS

Our storytelling sessions offer interactive, sensory-rich experiences. Led by skilled storytellers, these sessions use our multi-sensory books to foster connection, fun, and inclusivity for people with people with severe and profound and multiple learning disabilities.

TRAINING

Discover the power of multi-sensory storytelling with our practical, hands-on training. Tailored for caregivers, educators, librarians, and SEND professionals, our workshops provide the skills and confidence to create engaging, inclusive storytelling experiences.

“I really enjoyed today’s session with Nina; I thought the stories were absolutely brilliant! It made me feel emotional at times as I really felt Bag Books just ‘get it’ and it made me excited to be able to use these tools for sharing stories with my son – thank you so much I really appreciate this”.

Parent feedback
“We have blind and autistic children, and all benefited from the multisensory approach. They loved it! It was very hands on. I was surprised that one child, who hates noise, loved all the very interactive aspects. We would love to have more sessions like this - interactive, responsive and creative. The Storyteller was very enthusiastic and engaging :) Loved the smells, too! Loved it. 10/10 Brilliant.”

St Francis School
“Our students need plenty of sensory input, which was brilliantly provided. In no time, the students were captivated by the lively and appropriate storytelling, with lots of smiling and involvement. It was also valuable CPD, highlighting the importance of approaching individuals and allowing plenty of sensory exploration.”

Mapledown School
“The books were very engaging and inclusive, with big smiles, giggles, reaching out, eye contact, and overall excitement. The story linked perfectly to our topic, and everyone stayed focused for longer than usual - even a student who normally struggles to remain seated stayed engaged throughout.”

Southfield Centre
“All the children enjoy stories much more when they come to life with touch, sight, sound and scent. All of our class require stories that appeal to all of their senses, the Bag Books stories we heard were very well resourced and appropriate for their ability level. Each child laughed and smiled throughout, and they were fully engaged. Some children who can be difficult to engage were fully engaged for 30 minutes (two stories). The Storyteller was excellent.”

John Jamieson School
“Children were very engaged and enjoyed the stories. Great links to our current topic (pirates!) Stories were fun and each child had the opportunity to be involved. Children joined in, repeating some of the phrases. One child in particular usually tries to run off or is more interested in things around him, but he was engaged throughout and sat through both stories – asking questions and joining in. The books will help to grow their imaginations, help them to understand/prepare for the world around them (e.g. the fairground story), learning with others, taking turns etc. All the children loved it!”

Sherbrook Primary School
“Each child from this group fully engaged in the touchy-feely story. We have also gained from this as staff – it gives us some ideas to take back to class. In the longer term, this will help the pupils to sit for a while during the storytelling period and will help take some fears away. The story was delivered perfectly – really impressed as a whole.”

Norfolk Park School

Get Involved

Find out how you can support Bag Books and help bring the joy of storytelling to children and adults with complex learning disabilities. There are plenty of ways to get involved – whether through volunteering, fundraising, or making a donation.

HAVE A PEAK

Shop

Featured

A Day at the Seaside

£105.00

It’s a sunny day at the seaside! Ivan and Ruth explore rock pools, discover shells and starfish, and even catch some fish, but a greedy seagull has other plans for their ice cream. A lively sensory story full of seaside sights, sounds, and surprises.

Contents: decking & sound pad / waves & gravel tube / shells & starfish / seaweed / fish in net / ice cream / seagull / bag of sweets

The Friendly Caterpillar

£50.00

In a sunny garden, a curious caterpillar goes in search of a friend. He meets a spider, a grasshopper and a busy bee, but none have time to play. After building his cocoon, he awakens as a butterfly — and at last finds friendship in the garden. A gentle sensory story of discovery, transformation and belonging, available as a smaller handcrafted story perfect for one-to-one storytelling.

Contents: caterpillar / leaf / strawberry with smell / spider glove / spider web / grasshopper / bumblebee / flower / butterfly.

The Fairground

£100.00

Suzie and Sam enjoy all the sights, smells and thrills of the fairground. From candy floss and hoopla to dodgems and the spooky ghost train, this sensory story is packed with games, giggles and just a few scares.

Contents: beads on sparkly material with sound / candy floss / hoop and duck / dodgem wheel / three coins / water spray / ghost train / spider web / slime balls / black material

Band Rehearsal

£75.00

Step into the recording studio with The Multi-Tones as they create their next big hit! From strumming a ukulele to adding rhythms and vocals, join the band as they rehearse, perform, and rock the stage in this high-energy sensory story.

Contents: gold record / ukulele / drum and stick / maraca / coffee aroma / microphone / mixing console / tie and CD / hand clapper.

Resource Hub

Discover a range of free downloadable stories, tips for multi-sensory storytelling, videos, and helpful links. Our Resource Hub is here to support caregivers, teachers, and SEND professionals in creating engaging, inclusive storytelling experiences for individuals with complex learning disabilities.