‘I Want My Hat Back’ The Storybarn reads along with BSL

We love welcoming new friends to our magical children’s play space the Storybarn in Calderstones Park for Birthday Parties and believe that every child should be able to party with their friends, enjoy the same experiences, and let their imaginations run wild!

We recently hosted a birthday party where a couple of guests were Deaf, so Mary Crotty, Programme Manager at The Reader who is currently studying for her BSL Level 6 certificate joined the fun and read along using sign language to help everyone could experience story time together.

It was wonderful to hear what this meant to the party guests after the event, and they told us: “You showed passion to ensuring my Deaf son would feel included, and also myself as a Deaf parent. This was the first time he had been invited to a party with a signer present down to the organisation themselves. Thank you for being thoughtful towards the needs of Deaf children having the opportunity to enjoy stories like any other hearing child. I think what you have done is amazing and has touched me in a way there is hope that the world will try and be more inclusive. My son and myself enjoyed the party and it’s something I would most definitely recommend to other people.”

This lovely feedback inspired us to create a video with Mary reading one of our Storybarn favourites I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen using BSL alongside Storyhunter Beans on Toast so that all children can enjoy this brilliant story whenever they like. We hope you enjoy it.

The  Storybarn  is a fully inclusive experience and all children are welcome. If you have any questions about facilities and access, call us on 0151 729 2227.

Storybarn Relaxed Sessions for children with autism and sensory conditions take place the first Saturday of every month. Find out more here.

If you’d like to host your own fun-filled Birthday Party at the Storybarn, you can view our packages here. 

Copyright © 2011 Jon Klassen
From I WANT MY HAT BACK Written & Illustrated by Jon Klassen
Reproduced by permission of Walker Books Ltd, London, SE11 5HJ
walker.co.uk

Video by Chris Jenkins