June Barnes-Rowley, known as jb, has always been a storyteller. She creates delightful fantasy through story. Children respond immediately to her energetic and fun performances. jb uses colourful visuals such as puppets, fabric and fairy dust to create wonderful worlds for young children who are also fascinated by her clapping sticks that stir sounds of the Dreamtime. Her performances for children focus on fun, action and interaction!

As well as being a professional storyteller, jb is founder of swag of yarns, Australia's National Storytelling Magazine and an educator. She is a member of The Storytelling Guild of Australia (Vic. Branch) and is featured on the guild's audiotape, Mystery and Mayhem.

jb has extensive experience in storytelling with children and adults. She has told at many venues including kindergartens, schools, libraries, community centres, bookstores, Government House and ABC Radio. She has entertained children with her storytelling at a variety of festivals including Moomba. At the Gold 'n' Grape Festival in 1997 she won first prize in the storytelling contest.

WHERE?
jb will travel anywhere in metropolitan Melbourne and specified dates to country areas.

June kept the children’s attention very well and they enjoyed the performance. Children interacted and enjoyed the stories and ‘props’ used by June.
Jacquie Beddows, City of Kingston Family Day Care

June has a great rapport with the children and got right down to the 3 year olds level of understanding. The children enjoyed the stories and puppets immensely. We all found it very entertaining. June managed to hold the children’s interest the whole time. The storytellers have always accommodated our requests, providing a theme relevant to our program.
Joan Lodge, Bayview Pre-School

June did a great job of capturing the children’s imaginations and related well to all of them. We enjoyed the magic created, thank you.
Yvonne Simmonds, Canterbury District Pre-School

JB told lovely stories to our 4-year-old group and their fathers. Everyone responded very well and found the session really enjoyable.
Marni Newman, St Martin’s Kindergarten

JB captures the children’s attention. One of our group normally finds it difficult to sit on the mat and listen but jb had them all mesmerised. We would like jb back next year.
Libby Braithwaite, Wonnai Pre-School

JB’s storytelling was well paced, flexible, open to the children’s comments and well controlled. We thoroughly enjoyed jb’s visit.
Sally Quantrelle, Central Kindergarten, Warrnambool

June’s stories were just right for our three year old group and she was very entertaining. The theme was appropriate and the children really enjoyed the sea story and being counted as baby turtles. We have talked about June and all her stories.
Heather Waugh, Ave Maria Kindergarten

June kept the children’s attention and the stories were just right for our pre-school children. We loved the puppet involvement in the stories. The children and staff enjoyed your costume, puppets and stories. We think others would too.
Tracey and Raelyne

We found June’s storytelling session on sea creatures, the sea and the beach to be thoroughly entertaining and educational. She kept the children’s attention with stories appropriate for our four and five year olds. We loved Henrietta and recommend June as a storyteller.
Andrea, Merriwa Kindergarten

Thank you for your performance, the children enjoyed the session and your ability to handle the group was appropriate. You included all the children in the session and your manner with the children was gentle and inviting. The carers at the centre were inspired by your storytelling skills and were able to gain ideas and have since incorporated these techniques into their own programs. The performance was interactive, fun and age appropriate. The children responded positively to the experience and have talked about it for days.
Children and Staff, Murrumbeena Children's Centre

June had the children's attention from the moment she arrived and we were really pleased with the session. We enjoyed the excellent use of the puppets and floating fabric pieces. The children were enthralled. I certainly would recommend June to other libraries.
Michelle, Clayton Library

June held the interest of the children extremely well, considering the age range from 1-5 year olds. There was something for everyone. The children and carers loved her puppets, especially the dinosaur and the turtle. Also using their names with the 'blue blue sea' blanket was very good. I will try and make my own storytimes at playgroup much more visual!. Thank you June, we loved it and we loved you too!!
Jacquie, Chelsea Playgroup, Kingston Family Day Care

Everything was great. The children loved the dinosaur egg, many also liked the puppet used to introduce the story, and they even remembered its name. Half an hour isn't long enough. Next time we will have 45 minutes. I will certainly recommend you to others as the children always listen to and enjoy stories, especially with new content and fantastic props.
Karen, Eliza Cottage, Mt. Eliza

The feedback on June's storytelling from the Librarians and the public was very positive. The children all responded well and were appreciative of the extra things she did. June had a good repertoire and performed excellently under very distracting circumstances. Many thanks for the skills and adaptability exhibited by this storyteller.
Jan McKeever, Branch Youth Librarian, Whitehorse, Manningham Regional Library Corporation

As a storyteller, June is absolutely delightful - and it's not just the kids who enjoy the pleasure and satisfaction of hearing a story well told. She had the adults in the palm of her hand too.
Pam Halligan, East Malvern

I know children who have been delighted with June's stories and her storytelling classes. I have also heard June enthral gown ups with her scary stories and her business seminars are inspirational! She simply must be heard to be believed.
K. Wee, Kew

I liked the story about the dog. I liked all your stories!
Jenny, Albion Nth Primary School

I saw you in a big tent at Moomba. I loved your stories and stayed all day. But my mother made me leave and I was sad.
Natasha Campbell (5), Geelong

I have had the pleasure of seeing JB present at business conferences, seminars and dinners. She is an inspirational speaker and a captivating storyteller. We will be having her back!
Tim Hewitson, Northern States Manager, Kumon Institute of Education

PROGRAMS

PRE-SCHOOLS AND CHILD CARE CENTRES
3 - 5 yo
30 or 45 minutes

Australian Animals
Stories about various Australian animals. Lots of interaction and visuals.

Christmas Parcel
The joy of giving, the excitement of tinsel and the thrill of anticipation are all wrapped up in this story event. Stories of Christmas to delight and enchant.

Dinosaurs and Fairies
Stories with fantastic creatures to make little eyes big! Education, fantasy and fun!

Deep Sea Dreaming
Stories of the sea creatures of Australia's coastline. Education and fun! Use of puppets and fabric create colourful visuals.

Easter Selection
Tales of bunnies and eggs or stories of the Easter tradition. Lots of visuals (puppets and props) with this presentation.

Happy Halloween
A friendly introduction to the 'monsters' of Halloween. A lot of participation and fun with language.

Worms and Wrigglies
Stories about worms and bugs such as glow-worms and caterpillars with factual information, fun and participation.

Special Selection
jb will tailor a presentation with a particular focus after discussion with the teacher.

Parent Nights 3 -5 yrs (plus parents)
Tales for dads and children in their Pjs or all the family for a special storytelling night at your centre.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Presentation styles and story content of each session will be adapted to the appropriate age of the children.
P - 6
45 or 60 minutes

All of the themes listed under Pre-Schools and Child Care Centres (opposite) are also available to Primary Schools.

Australian Animals
Stories about the amazing and unique Australian animals that weave fiction and fact to entertain and educate. Includes a Dreamtime story.

Fairy tales and folktales
Eternal favourites that are sure to delight young audiences.

Festivals of other lands
Stories celebrating cultural festivals from other lands with relevant fun activities. For example:
Cherry Blossom Festival (A springtime festival celebrated in Japan in April)
India's Diwali Festival (Festival of lights celebrated by Indian people).

Wings and Warbles
A selection of stories about Australian birds including a Dreamtime story.

Special Selection
jb will tailor a presentation with a particular focus after discussion with the teacher.

Pyjama Nights
Fun for the whole family! A fabulous storytelling event.

Workshop: Children as Storytellers 60 - 90 minutes
Children learn the skills of telling a story well. Develops imagination, confidence and story skills.

LIBRARIES
Presentation styles and story content of each session will be adapted to the appropriate age of the children.
Pre-School to Year 6
45 or 60 minutes
All of the themes listed under Pre-Schools and Child Care Centres and Primary Schools are also available to Libraries.

Grab a Book!
Grab a book (or books) from the library shelf. jb will bring the story to life to inspire children to want to read the book and other books. Just let jb know when you book the session which books you are choosing. Leave the rest to her and you will have your local children clamouring to borrow books from your library!

SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Stories of history
From Boadecia to Ned Kelly history is full of fascinating personalities. jb will bring them to life for your students with stories to entertain and educate. June's stories of historical figures are designed stir students' interest in history and culture. Just let jb know the time period and/or personalities you wish to cover and she will do the rest.

45minutes or 90 minutes-includes time for Q & A

Myths and Legends
Stirring tales form long ago told in their traditional oral format sure to fire the student's interest and imagination. A specific program according to teachers' requirements can be arranged

Workshop: Tell a story!
45 minutes or 90 minutes
Practical instruction on the art of storytelling and oral presentation with the opportunity for 'hands on' experience.

Workshop: A+(Awesome and More)
90 minutes Maximum 25 students
A seminar designed to dramatically lift the motivation of senior students.
In this seminar jb uses powerful stories, relevant examples and practical instructions to teach students about goal setting, including the importance of long term and short term goals. She show students how to direct their lives for the long term and work back step by step to put a plan in action to achieve that long-term goal.

ADULT PRESENTATIONS

Relaxastory
45 minutes
June (jb) combines more than twenty years as a yoga practitioner with her storytelling skills to bring you a unique experience. Relax-a-story is a combination of storytelling, relaxation and visualisation designed to brush away the cobwebs, open the mind to new possibilities and renew energy levels Wear comfortable clothing and bring a blanket if you wish. (Venue will need to be warm and carpeted.)

How to Relax in A Busy World
60-90 minutes
Stories and practical tips on how to feel more relaxed in our busy society.

Storytelling and Literacy
60 - 90 minutes
jb discusses the importance of telling and listening to stories in relation to the development of reading skills.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Inspiring You to Tell
45 mins
Presentation that explores the use of props,puppets, stories and song to use with the 0-5 age group.

Working with Stories
90 mins
Telling stories in pairs and groups that demonstrates just how many stories you already have to work with and activities to show you how you can go on to develop confidence and ability.

Storytelling Activities
3 hours
Selecting, creating & telling stories. This 3-hour workshop has two Storytellers and is designed to maximise participants' storytelling potential. Through demonstration, discussion and undertaking a variety of storytelling games and activities, workshop participants will be inspired and discover just how many stories they have to tell. The workshop can either focus on Pre-School Story-time or Telling to Older Listeners (Primary level storytelling). The workshop is perfect for Librarians, Early Childhood Educators and Primary Teachers. It's also a great deal of fun!

Storytelling with Tiny Tots and Pre-Schoolers
3 hours
Stories told, stories shared, stories remembered, stories stories stories. You will leave this workshop with at least three stories ready to tell to the 0-5 age group and be inspired to start! From felt and magnet boards, fabric and costume, story corners and storytelling theatre, a treasure trove of stories.

Learn and tell a story in one hour
90 mins
This workshop allows participants to explore some of the methods of learning a story and to reflect on which of the learning methods best matches his or her own style of learning.

Storytelling for Teachers
3 hours
A combination of the two workshops outlined above, designed to show how storytelling can assist with literacy, language and listening skills, drama, socialisation etc. The focus of this session would be by arrangement.

Language, Listening and Lots of activities to use
3 hours
Activities to use with the children, to enhance their language literacy and story-creation skills. Language literacy covers spoken, written, aural, visual and cultural literacy - how children familiarise and contextualise their place in the world and create the stories to demonstrate it. This workshop powers through a wide selection of story games and activities that can be variously combined in the classroom or library. Many tools to take away with you.