Storytelling Academy
Welcome to the Winnie the Pooh Storytelling Academy! Here you will find tips and tricks on the best ways to make the most of storytelling time with your children. We want you, as parents and grandparents, to continue the great traditions of storytelling and not let your busy lives halt you from these precious moments.
We’ve recruited a panel of experts to help us create the Storytelling Academy and provide useful tools. In each section we’ve added comments from our experts giving a varied response on how to tackle storytelling at home, on the go and from afar.
Celebrity mum Zoe Ball
When it comes to kids, Zoe Ball is a pro! As a working mother of two, Zoe knows all about the challenges that can come with maintaining a happy routine with your children and making time for regular storytelling. As a children’s TV presenter for many years, Zoe’s background is perfect for the Academy!
Child psychologist Emma Kenny
We’ve recruited child psychologist, Emma Kenny, to give some context as to why storytelling is so important to children’s development. Emma is a highly experienced practitioner with Psychological and Counselling qualifications and has provided Disney with an array of information on the benefits of storytelling. You may recognise her from regular TV appearances such as on ITV’s This Morning.
Disney's Justine Finch
Disney’s Justine Finch is also on hand to give a wealth of information on the positive effects of storytelling and ways to add theatre to any story. With a long history of working within the company, Justine is our go-to person for storytelling advice.
Why Winnie the Pooh?
Winnie the Pooh is the world’s most beloved bear, having made his debut in 1926 in the first book of Pooh stories written by A.A. Milne and featuring the captivating illustrations of E.H. Shepard. With a rich storytelling heritage, Winnie the Pooh and his friends in the 100 Acre Wood represent friendship, simple joys and the curious yet gentle nature of a child’s imagination. He is the perfect character to bring back the art of storytelling across the country!