Storywise

19/04/2026

06/11/2025

𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺.

Sheila Wee began improvising stories with her preschool class in the early 1990s and saw how children’s confidence and creativity flourished when they helped shape a story. Later, as a storyteller, she became fascinated by story structure and by Kendall Haven’s deceptively simple but powerful Character-First approach to story creation.
In this 90-minute participatory session, storytellers will explore how structure can support—not limit—creativity. They’ll learn the Character-First method and try out improvised storytelling activities that show how clear structure can spark imaginative, purposeful stories.

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗮 𝗪𝗲𝗲
Sheila Wee has been a professional storyteller and storytelling trainer for over 26 years and is a pioneer of Singapore’s storytelling revival. Her work spans preschools, education, heritage, community, and organisational learning across 12 countries. Known for her warm, engaging style and practical teaching, she has introduced thousands to the art of storytelling. Sheila is also a founding director of the Federation of Asian Storytellers (FEAST), promoting storytelling across Asia and beyond. Here is her website www.storywise.com.sg

DATE: 26 November 2026
TIME: 5.30pm to 7pm Singapore time
Check the time in your time zone here: https://tinyurl.com/InsideOutTime

COST: Members SGD$7 Non-Members SGD$15

REGISTER HERE: https://tinyurl.com/Register4InsideOut

14/08/2025

Here's a link to my latest blog post on stories to teach the theme of sustainability to preschoolers. Along with a look at my very sustainable 28-year old 5-finger glove puppet.

https://www.storywise.com.sg/post/sustainability

Here is the Beehive - An Action Rhyme A request by a preschool to do an National Arts Council Art Education Programme on the theme of SUSTAINABILITY has got me thinking about what sustainability really means and how we might effectively communicate that to preschoolers. I found some stories that mig...

01/08/2025

Hello, Facebook Followers,
Facebook finally let me back into this account again after many months. In the meantime I had given up trying to get in and started a new account. They let me in once before for a week and then I got shut out again until now, so I have decided to mothball this account and do everything on my new account.
If you would like to keep in touch please send me a friend request to Sheila Wee Storywise.

I may still occasionally post things here - if I can still get in, but it won't be a reliable way of communicating with me.

31/03/2025

A blessed celebration to all Muslim friends.

28/03/2025

Hello, Facebook Friends.
If you have reached out and I've not replied, it's because I've been locked out of my Facebook account for several months. I think it happened when I messed up adding 2-faxctor authentication. I tried everything to get back in, including writing to Facebook, but nothing seemed to work. And now suddenly I am back in. It may not last, so if you want to reach out to me my LinkedIn profile is a more reliable way.

Sheila teaches workshops in the craft and applications of storytelling. These include: The Introduction to Storytelling Workshop (which she has been running since 1999) and various intermediate and advanced level workshops in the art of storytelling. And workshops in the application of storytelling....

07/12/2024

𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗨𝗣 𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗧 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞!
𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆
Debbie does very interesting work and has a unique cultural background. She is a 3rd generation storyteller in the Sri Lankan culture - a 𝘚𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢 𝘒𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘢. She lives and works in London where she tells stories in the royal palaces, in Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London as well as doing much more low key, but important work with communities. I have been having very rich conversations with her, so I'm looking forward to this one.

𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗨𝗣 𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗧 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞!
𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆
𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹.
Stories have a unique way of captivating us, sparking inspiration to share our own. They connect us, transform us, and give life to our thoughts and experiences.

Through Debbie Guneratne’s transformative technique, you'll ignite your imagination and discover how to craft stories that truly resonate. Whether you're a seasoned storyteller or just beginning your journey, this is your chance to bring your ideas to life and let your creativity take flight as you explore the heart of a story like never before!

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝗯𝗯𝗶𝗲 𝗚𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗻𝗲
Debbie Guneratne is a Sathara Karaya, a third-generation storyteller, who specialises in telling stories from her multi-cultural heritage. She spent a year travelling the world telling stories to, working with and learning from indigenous groups. She is an expert in working with multicultural groups, drawing on people’s stories and making deep connections with audiences.

A South Asian specialist with a successful history developing creative, cultural activities for community, educational and heritage organisations in London and across the UK, Debbie works with the Historic Royal Palaces, several London Art Galleries and Museums and City Councils developing sessions linked to identity, dementia and sustainability.

Debbie has a BSC Hons in Geology with an extensive knowledge of our planet and previously spent 10 years as a primary school teacher and TEFLA teacher, as a language and science specialist. She now uses this experience to work with many different cultural groups, often with English as an additional language.

Debbie’s expertise, lived experience and passion enabling young people and adults to have a voice, telling their stories, ensures that everyone feels included and valued.

www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-guneratne-535bba13

Date: Wednesday 11 December 2024

Time: 7.30pm to 9pm Singapore time
Check the time in your time zone: https://tinyurl.com/DebbieGuneratneTime

Cost: $7 SGD for members; $15 SGD for non-members
Check the cost in your own currency: www.xe.com/currencyconverter

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/RegisterDebbie

09/11/2024

𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝟮-𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗘𝗖𝗗𝗔 𝗘𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗣𝗗 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 ... 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗬 𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗗𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗥𝗢𝗢𝗠.

IN THIS COURSE YOU WILL:
• learn how storytelling can be an effective tool for preschoolers Language and Literacy and Social Emotional Development.
• discover the elements that make storytelling effective and captivating for preschoolers aged 4-6 years old.
• learn how to integrate storytelling strategies into different learning areas such as Language and Literacy and Social Emotional Development.
• be exposed to and equipped to use a variety of storytelling techniques to spark the imagination of preschoolers, and to extend preschoolers learning in language, and literacy.
• develop confidence in using storytelling as a teaching strategy in the early childhood classroom to grow preschoolers love of language and stories.

WHEN: Thurs 27 March and Thurs 24 April 2025, 9am to 5pm

WHERE: The Book Council Training Room, Goodman Arts Centre, 90 Goodman Rd, (S) 439053

HOW MUCH: SGD$300 before subsidies. (SSG or ECDA)

ECDA Registered teachers please register through the One@ECDA Portal at https://one.ecda.gov.sg

Limited places may be available for non ECDA registered teachers and non-teachers. To find out more please contact Sheila Wee at [email protected]

If you have any questions, please contact Sheila at [email protected]

08/11/2024

This afternoon we finished up the week long Zoom storytelling sessions which have become such a popular part of the 398.2 Storytelling Festival Singapore. Today was my turn to tell and it was so good to have such a large audience and to see whole classes of children enjoying the storytelling. I also had a great time telling a very interactive version of the English folktale Jack and the Robbers.

If you are in Singapore, its not to late to join in the festival as we will be in the Central Library in Victoria St tomorrow and Sunday
(9th & 10th Nov), for two afternoons of story fun from 1pm to 4pm
Everything is free. You can reserve a spot here: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/3982-storytelling-sessions-1322519