Ever wondered how a story comes to life?

Here’s a peek behind the scenes at Hi Blue Butterfly.

There’s a quiet kind of magic that happens in the moments before a storytelling performance begins. For me, it starts long before I sit in front of a circle of eager little faces. It begins with care, with craft, and with connection.

Each story I tell is chosen with intention. I consider not only the tale itself, but the age group, the season, the mood I want to evoke, and most importantly, the values. With my background in Waldorf education, I firmly believe in the power of stories to influence a child’s subconscious. Stories aren’t just entertainment; they are nourishment. That’s why I research deeply and select only those tales that nurture, respect, and honour childhood.

Once I’ve chosen a story, I begin shaping the performance by hand, and heart. I might craft props, make simple puppets, or create songs to weave into the telling. This is one of my favourite parts of the process. It’s when I deepen my connection with the story and start imagining the children’s reactions. How will they receive this story? What will they laugh at, what will make them curious, and where might they fall silent?

I love creating spaces where magic can happen. Spaces where even adults feel safe enough to let their inner child peek out and play. I think of each performance as a treat—a shared experience that might, just maybe, become a lasting memory. If one day, a grown-up says, “I think my parents once took me to a storytelling circle... and there was this story about a little mouse...” then I’ll know the magic worked.

Telling a story is more than reading words aloud. I pay close attention to my tone, my gestures, and my body language. I want every child and adult in the circle to activate their imagination, to see the story in their minds, and to make it truly theirs.

Behind every performance is a lot of heart. And at the heart of it all is a deep respect for the world of childhood—a world of wonder, sensitivity, and truth. That’s the world I hope to honour, every time I tell a tale.