Express yourself: Collaborative storytelling, tabletop roleplaying games & books for grade schoolers

By Hal, Rainbow Services Librarian

Find Your Voice was the theme of this year’s summer reading program. Although summer reading is coming to an end, finding your voice is a lifelong journey.

Creative self-expression through collaborative storytelling and imaginative play experiences like tabletop roleplaying games are a fun way to discover your voice and share it with others.

Attend these programs

In September and October, join us for two programs for students in grades 3-5 all about celebrating self-expression and the power of imagination. 

Express Yourself: DIY Storytelling Dice
Wednesday, September 13, 4-5 pm, Main Library

Join us for a celebration of creative expression! This program brings crafting, gaming, and storytelling together. Story Dice are six-sided dice with a word or picture on each side. When you roll your dice together, you can use the words and pictures to inspire a story. By the end of this program, you’ll have your own set of five story dice to take home. Register now »

Magic & Adventure Club: Building a Fantasy World
Wednesday, October 11, 3:30-4:30 pm, Main Library

Do you love stories about magic and adventure like Wings of Fire or tabletop roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons? Join us for Magic & Adventure Club! With the power of our imaginations and collaborative storytelling games, we’ll embark on adventures to other worlds together. This month, we’ll build a fantasy world together. Collaborative worldbuilding is an important skill for aspiring D&D players and Game Masters. Register now »

Read these titles

Reading is a great way to expand and explore your voice. By joining characters on a journey, whether it’s in a perilous magical world or the halls of their school, we can participate with our imaginations as they learn about themselves, face challenges, grow, and change. Often, the characters in books are finding their voices too. 

Many of the books on our newly updated LGBTQ+ Creator’s book list follow characters as they find their voices and then use them to advocate for themselves and others in their community. Check out these recommendations by authors who are featured on our LGBTQ+ Creator’s list.   

Middle grade fantasy by LGBTQ+ creators

• Juniper Harvey and the Vanishing Kingdom
• Cattywampus
• The Girl From Earth’s End
• Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston
• The Tea Dragon Society
• The Devouring Wolf
• Witch Boy
• The Deep & Dark Blue
• Girl Haven
• The Dog Knight
• Dungeon Critters

Middle grade fiction about self-discovery by LGBTQ+ creators 

• Too Bright to See
• Rick
• This Is Our Rainbow
• Dear Mothman
• Ana on the Edge
• In the Role of Brie Hutchens
• Almost Flying
• A-Okay
• Tegan and Sara: Junior High
• The Best at It
• Thanks a lot, Universe