Setting (story)

Have you ever been to a spooky, dark castle with tall, pointy towers. Or maybe you have wiggled your toes in warm, yellow sand on a sunny beach. You can listen to the whoosh of the waves. Sometimes, a story happens in a cozy bedroom, tucked under soft, warm blankets. I can be any place you can imagine, big or small, near or far. I am the where and the when of every single story. I am the place your adventure happens. Hello. I'm called Setting.

For a long, long time, people have used me to tell the best stories. Long ago, they told stories around crackling campfires. Now, you can find me inside colorful books. An author uses special words to paint a picture for you. They might say, it was a cold, snowy day. Brrr. You can almost feel the chilly air. Or they might say, it was a big, green jungle full of silly, swinging monkeys. I help you see the tall trees. I help you hear the loud animal sounds. I make the story feel real, like you are right there in the middle of the fun.

You use me all the time when you play. Yes, you do. When your toy car drives up a big, tall mountain, that mountain might be your pillow. You just made a setting. When your dolls have a party in a fancy castle, that castle might be a cardboard box. You made a wonderful setting. You are a storyteller, too. The next time you read a book, look for me. And have so much fun making your own magical places for your toys to explore. Every story needs a special place to be.