This small-scale piece of research stemmed from a larger study on oral storytelling and the responses of children to stories told and read to them. In the larger study several children expressed preferences for stories from picture books, as "told" stories were not "real" stories. This concept of "real" stories and what constitutes a "real" story in the eyes of an infant child, aged between five and seven years, is what led to the basis of the research. One hundred and thirty-five children between the ages of five and seven years old were involved in the research. The investigation was conducted in three different schools in South Wales, UK. It was hoped that the research would give some insights into the literacy habits of children today. The children were asked some basic questions about home practices relating to storytelling and story-reading and about preferences in relation to oral stories and picture books. Finally they were asked if they thought oral tales were "real" stories. This essay gives an overview of some of the literacy practices of the children and deliberates on their comments as they wrestle with the concept of a "real" story. (Contains 4 tables.)