There’s a moment that every teacher knows. You’ve got a new topic to introduce, thirty curious faces looking up at you, and you’re hunting for something, anything, that will spark that first flicker of interest. Something that will make them lean in.
That moment is exactly what the Settle Stories Digital Library was built for.
More Than a Resource Bank
The Digital Library isn’t just a collection of videos. It’s a carefully curated world of over 200 stories told by professional storytellers from around the globe: each one illustrated, each one brought to life with warmth, craft and intention.
Think traditional tales from cultures your class might never otherwise encounter. Think historical retellings, poetry, stories about identity and belonging, and narratives that quietly teach children how to be kinder, braver, and more curious about the world. Each video is narrated by a skilled storyteller and paired with original illustrations from talented artists, using a mix of live-action and animated formats to keep young imaginations truly engaged.
And every single story comes with a full transcript, perfect for reading comprehension, alongside a downloadable storyboard of illustrations that pupils can use for sequencing tasks and written work. It’s not just a story. It’s a whole lesson, ready to go.
Who Is It For?
The library spans the full primary range, from Early Years right through to Upper Key Stage 2. Whether you’re working with wide-eyed Reception children discovering their first folktales or Year 6 pupils exploring complex themes of identity and values, there’s something here that fits.
The taster story, The Eagle Who Thought It Was a Chicken, told by the brilliant Sola Adebiyi, is available across all key stages, from EYFS to UKS2, which gives you a real sense of just how versatile these stories are. A story about an eagle raised amongst chickens, slowly discovering its own extraordinary nature. It’s the sort of tale that sticks with you long after the screen goes dark.
What Subjects Does It Cover?
This is where the library really earns its place in the staffroom. Stories in the collection span a genuinely broad range of curriculum areas, including English, Geography, PSHE, Science, SMSC, Understanding the World, and Values and Principles.
The pre-made assembly packs are a particular gift for busy teachers. Each one is under fifteen minutes, built around awareness days, British Values, and key PSHE themes. They open with thought-provoking questions that settle the room and focus young minds, then invite teachers to pause for follow-up discussions at the end. No last-minute scrambling, no rushed preparation, just a ready-made, meaningful assembly that does exactly what it needs to do.
A Taster Worth Your Time
Not sure where to start? The Digital Library taster gives you a front-row seat to exactly what’s on offer. You can explore The Eagle Who Thought It Was a Chicken completely free: story video, illustrations, transcript and all, and get a proper feel for the quality before committing to anything.
It’s the kind of resource that makes you think: why didn’t this exist sooner?
The Bigger Picture
What makes the Settle Stories Digital Library genuinely special isn’t just the breadth of content. It’s the heart behind it. These are stories that carry wisdom, challenge assumptions, and invite children into worlds beyond their own. They support cultural diversity not as a tick-box exercise, but as a joyful, natural part of everyday learning.
For teachers who care about nurturing empathy, creativity and curiosity in their classrooms – and who are also, frankly, trying to save a bit of time – this is the sort of resource that changes how a school week feels.
Memberships start from £39 for individual access fora full year.
Ready to See It For Yourself?
The best way to understand what the Digital Library can do for your classroom is simply to try it. Head over to the Digital Library Taster and access your free story today – no strings, no fuss.
Or if you’re ready to dive in, register your account and start exploring over 200 stories waiting to be told.
Because every classroom deserves a good story. And every child deserves to know they live in a world full of them.
