The Truck Cat Bookmark: National Simultaneous Storytime Craft is a delightful and creative activity inspired by Tinka, the adventurous feline from The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel. Designed as part of our National Simultaneous Storytime celebration, this interactive bookmark craft invites students to engage with literature in a playful, hands-on way—creating a personalised cat character that hangs over the page to mark their spot!

This resource offers two flexible crafting options, catering to a range of year levels, abilities and classroom setups. Whether you're after a quick literacy-linked art task or a more detailed craft project, this bookmark activity delivers fun, fine motor practice, and bookish joy all in one.

To complete the activity, print the templates on thick white or coloured cardstock for durability. Students can use colouring materials and decorative craft items like sequins, googly eyes and scrap paper to bring their Tinka bookmark to life. Each version allows for creativity and personal expression, making every finished bookmark unique and meaningful to the student who made it.

This craft is a perfect companion activity to reading The Truck Cat and offers a memorable way to connect students with the text. From designing collars to adding quotes or summaries, the bookmark becomes both a keepsake and a reflection of comprehension.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Connect creatively with a shared text through literature-linked crafting
• ✅ Develop fine motor and design skills in a purposeful context
• ✅ Express personal response to a character or story in visual form
• ✅ Participate in National Simultaneous Storytime with a collaborative class activity

What’s Included:

• Bookmark template with two completion options
• Ready-to-decorate version for quick sessions
• Craft-and-assemble version for more detailed work

Materials Needed:

• Printed templates (on card for durability)
• Colouring materials (pencils, crayons, markers)
• Scissors and glue
• Optional craft extras: googly eyes, sequins, scrap paper

How to Use:

• Read The Truck Cat as a class to introduce the character and story context.
• Choose Option 1 for a simple colouring activity or Option 2 for a hands-on craft experience.
• Guide students in assembling and decorating their bookmarks using available materials.
• Encourage personalisation with names, book quotes, or artwork on the tummy section.
• Invite students to write a description or favourite story moment on the back of their bookmark.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use as a follow-up craft after reading The Truck Cat during National Simultaneous Storytime
• 💡 Display finished bookmarks in a classroom gallery before sending them home
• 💡 Pair with writing activities about pets, trucks, or adventure stories
• 💡 Include in your classroom reading corner for student use year-round
• 💡 Use in conjunction with the other resources in our The Truck Cat: Book PACKAGE

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Laminate finished bookmarks for extra durability
• 💛 Prepare a ‘craft station’ with embellishments for students to choose from
• 💛 Use as a springboard for discussions about story structure, character traits or illustration styles

The Truck Cat Bookmark: National Simultaneous Storytime Craft is a joyful way to celebrate literature, promote reading, and create something memorable your students will be proud to use again and again.