Are you looking to invite a storyteller who can engage, delight and inspire children to read and tell their own stories? I can help!

Anna is standing with her arms overhead performing to an audience

Our storytelling sessions with Anna were full of magic and wonder, as the children were whisked away into the many lands of the stories told. They were all so engaged and intrigued the whole time. The children couldn’t stop talking about it and their written and drawn reflections truly revealed just how much they got out of their time with Anna. 

Very highly recommend! 

Paige Egan, Kindergarten teacher

What to expect from my storytelling sessions

My sessions are thoughtfully crafted with a focus on promoting literacy, cultural curiosity, and age-appropriate content that both entertains and educates children.

  • I do 30/45-minute sessions for children from Prep - Year 6

  • I’ve written the stories I tell.

  • I tell a ‘story buffet’ - different oral storytelling formats such as string stories, fold-and-tell stories, cut-and-tear stories, draw-and-tell stories, body percussion stories.

  • Kamishibai (Japanese paper theatre) stories is my signature set

  • My sessions are interactive, literacy-rich and allows for co-creating stories with children.

  • I use transitions between stories (songs on my ukulele, rhymes, movement) that celebrate languages and cultures.

  • Themes I tell on: relationships, humour, nature, cultures

  • Suitable for Units of Inquiry on storytelling / creative arts (different ways of telling stories), history/geography (stories from different countries)

  • I share my writing and creative process in publishing a picture book (Leo’s Pet Bug)

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful story with us Anna. You are a joy to watch, the children were enthralled. What a blessing to have clever storytellers, who share stories that are meaningful as well as packed with phonic awareness, and beginning reading strategies! The children loved Leo's Pet Bug and your wonderful ukulele! Thank you for giving our students a wonderful adventure in literacy and bringing to it joy, passion and willingness to share a love of reading! We loved it!

Ruth Thatcher, children’s librarian

Anna is in a library, sitting next to her is her storytelling box

Get in touch!

Just send me an email at hello@annamanuel.com and share a few details:

  • Your name, organisation and role

  • What you're looking for: storytelling sessions for children or professional development for adults

  • The number of attendees

  • Your preferred dates and times

  • Anything else you'd like me to know

Once I have the details, I'll put together a personalised proposal just for you! It will include the topics we’ll explore, the session flow and the outcomes you can expect.

I just wanted to write and let you know how much our school enjoyed having you come to our school as our guest author. I had such a lot of positive comments from the teachers and students. For example; funny, engaging and very creative and they loved the music you added in.

I would like to add that the children loved the stories you presented to them, not only by reading them your story, but providing practical ideas on how to 'think outside the box' as to how they can bring their own stories to life.

You also provided a variety of activities engaging the children that were age appropriate. They were also very excited to join in and be an active part of your performance.

Anna, you are friendly and engaging and our children loved every element of your presentation, whether they were in Prep or Year 6. I am sure that you have inspired many budding authors and illustrators in our school to  continue following their dreams.

Jeanette Pearson, teacher-librarian

Anna is sitting with her ukulele, smiling at an audience