The first Story Tour for 2023 begins in the Bay of Plenty, starting on Monday 8 May 2023. Toby Morris, Susan Wardell and Sonya Wilson will be joining Ben Brown, our Te Awhi Rito, on his last tour in this role.
Storylines commitment is to reach as many children and young people in Aotearoa as possible – and we are talking here about 20,000 students per year!
Can you imagine anything more wonderful than a literary celebration like this?
Anne Dickson and I (writes Helen Villers) have been enormously privileged to take up the driver and Storylines representative roles on several tours now and we cherish every moment of the experience. There is enormous anticipation for everyone in the lead-up to a tour. Despite some initial nerves, the authors, and illustrators we have travelled with have been remarkable presenters, wowing tamariki and the rangitahi up and down the motu. The look on the faces of the children and young people as they realise the gift a real-life author or illustrator brings, says it all.
If ever there has been a persuasive way to inspire and encourage our young to read, write, draw, sing, dance and celebrate all things books, then this is it!
Storylines National Story Tours are now a valued fixture of the school year in Aotearoa, and hopefully one that is significant in the lives of all those who, in one way or another, have the good fortune to take part.
Follow our adventures each day on the Storylines social media platforms (Facebook and Instagram) as we sweep from the northern reaches of Tauranga, from Katikati all the way down to Ōpotiki and Kawerau.
Helen Villers, Storylines Representive
Bay of Plenty Story Tour
