Story Box Library

Story Box Library Logo red Book Box

Story Box Library -  Watch and listen to some of your favourite stories being read by Australian and New Zealand storytellers.

Story Box Library Activity of the Month: May, Celebrate NZ Music Month, with the story: Alpacas with Maracas,by Matt Cosgrove.

Book Cover of Alpacas with Maracas

Macca and his pal Al are the best of friends, so when there is an opportunity to enter a talent contest together, they just can't resist.

But what will their act be? Will they shimmy and shake? Dance and prance? Whatever they choose, it will surely be a performance to remember!

Celebrate NZ Music Month, with this activity available from Story Box Library linked to the story: Alpacas with Maracas, written and illustrated by Matt Cosgrove, performed by the hilarious duo: Jimmy Rees and Matt Cosgrove and published by Scholastic Australia.

Make your own maracas!

What you need:

  • A selection of recyclable containers (e.g. milk bottles, coffee cups, cans, cardboard rolls, spice jars, plastic containers etc.)
  • A selection of non-food fillings (e.g. sand, beads, sequins, buttons, paper clips, stones, marbles etc.)
  • A selection of decorative embellishments (e.g. paints, textas, stickers, washi tape,coloured paper)
  • Making tools, such as scissors, glue, masking tape, elastic bands, balloons etc.
  • Choose a container.
  • Fill the container with chosen filling/s.
  • Secure the filling (e.g. with a lid, tape, balloon, and elastic band).
  • Decorate your maraca.
  • Work on your own or work with friends to make a collection of maracas.

Teachers, students, parents, and caregivers can access hundreds of stories, and activities online, free through Story Box Library with their Waimakariri library card number and PIN.

To access Story Box Library go to our Tamariki/Children's eLibrary, from our Tamariki/Children’s Space, where you will also find more resources that are relevant to preschool, and primary school aged children.

This is one of our activities eligible for Children's University.

Please show library staff a pic of you completing the activity, or show a staff member the completed activity, to get a stamp in your Passport to Learning.