Are you looking for an interactive storytelling incursion that engages, delights and inspires children to read, imagine 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 storytelling incursion offers engaging, educational experiences that nurture imagination, build literacy and celebrate languages and cultures. Sessions are developmentally-appropriate, highly interactive and designed for schools and libraries.

  • Session length & age groups: 30, 45 or 60-minute sessions, suitable for babies and early years, and for primary school students (Prep–Year 6)

  • Stories, music & participation: Original oral stories, ukulele music woven throughout each session, children actively participate through movement, song, repetition and ideas

  • Literacy-rich & inclusive storytelling: Strong focus on creative literacy and oral language development, children’s home languages are included in stories and songs, supports inclusive practice and multicultural school and library communities

  • A ‘story buffet’ showcasing storytelling techniques: string stories, origami stories, cut-and-tear stories, draw-and-tell stories, body percussion stories

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

  • Themes: relationships, humour, nature, cultures

  • Curriculum links & learning outcomes: Units of Inquiry on storytelling and creative arts (different ways of telling stories), History and geography through stories from different cultures

  • Author visit & creative writing process: I also share my writing and publishing journey, including the creation of my picture book Leo’s Pet Bug, giving students insight into the storytelling process from idea to book.

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, teacher-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 incursions for children or PD workshop 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 proposal which includes topics we’ll explore, session flow and 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