There are challenges to creating programs for mixed-age groups over a wide range of developmental stages, while keeping these programs "age appropriate" and engaging the children. This book offers the background knowledge and framework to use as a springboard for understanding the complexity of interactions with children, and for increasing your own creativity as you plan and present storytimes.

Storytime effective practice (STEP) -- STEP and developmentally appropriate practice -- STEP and intentionality -- STEP and scaffolding -- Emotional and social development -- Cognitive development -- Physical development -- Language and literacy development -- Mixed-age storytimes : spanning the ages -- Traditional mixed-age storytimes -- Sequential mixed-age storytimes.