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“Thou shalt not' is soon forgotten, but 'once upon a time' lasts forever."
- Philip Pullman
About Mrs Stanley
Mrs Stanley is the storytelling name of Tracey Collins, creator of Wild About Story at Cedar Farm in West Lancashire.
Tracey grew up in New Zealand, where she trained and worked as a primary school teacher before moving to the UK in 1988.
She has worked extensively in education & playwork settings, supporting creativity and learning. Working for Local Authorities, she developed community projects, inclusive play (for disabled children), music making and projects which support reading for pleasure.
Since 2006 she has brought all of that experience into her work as Mrs Stanley. People sometimes think of storytelling as old-fashioned or quaint, but Tracey sees it differently. Stories told live from memory are as relevant today as they have ever been. The themes that children encounter every day — belonging, difference, courage, being left out, have always been at the heart of the oldest tales. Tell them well, and they connect to right now.
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What a Session Looks Like
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Every session is shaped around the needs of the group. Mrs Stanley will listen to your plans and offer options that can be adapted to meet the curriculum and the specific needs of your children.
A session typically lasts 40 to 60 minutes and includes a mix of stories told live from memory, songs accompanied by guitar or ukulele, silly songs and rhymes, and plenty of space for children's ideas and contributions. Sessions are joyful, participative and very much in the moment. Each telling is unique.
Practical Details:
Ages: She works with groups from nursery age through to Year 6. Sessions can be adapted for mixed ages, from a toddler on a parent's knee to an older child who reckons they're too cool for stories.
Group Size: She prefers to work with smaller groups sitting close to her on the floor, in a space with minimal noise and distraction. This is what gives a storytelling session its particular magic. The maximum group size is 30.
Supervision: At least one supervising adult should be present throughout, ideally someone the children know, who can talk with them about the session and encourage re-telling afterwards.
Inclusion: So that Mrs Stanley can make sure every child gets the full benefit of the session, please let her know in advance if there are children attending who have complex support needs and how they can best be included.
Safeguarding: Mrs Stanley holds enhanced DBS clearance and full Public Liability Insurance.
A story for every season
Mrs Stanley's repertoire spans traditional tales, myths and legends, personal stories, silly songs and rhymes and combining traditional stories with modern themes. Each telling is unique and in the moment.
Sessions can also be built around specific curriculum themes, seasonal events, World Book Day or reading for pleasure initiatives. Mrs Stanley also brings her puppet menagerie to selected sessions. If you have something particular in mind, just get in touch.
Who Mrs Stanley works with
Mrs Stanley tells stories across a wide range of settings:
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Primary Schools
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Nurseries
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Libraries
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Children's Hospitals
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Forest Schools
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Community Events
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Festivals
She has worked with organisations including:
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Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
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Alder Hey Children's Hospital
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Woodland Community Primary School
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Chorley St James' CofE Primary School
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Kingsfold Library
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Parbold Library
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Croston Christmas Fair
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What's Your Story Chorley?
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Flashes Festival of Nature
How to Book Mrs Stanley
Whether you are a school, library, community organisation or festival, Mrs Stanley would love to hear from you.
Fees are based on group size and the nature of the session. As a guide, storytelling sessions start from £60. Travel is charged at 40p per mile for venues more than 15 miles from Mawdesley.
Every session is customised to meet your specific needs. Just fill out the form below and Tracey (Mrs Stanley) will be in touch.
