Hello and welcome to my website!
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I'm Amanda Kane-Smith, a professional storyteller
and author based in Hampshire.
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I work as a Traditional Storyteller, telling all kinds of stories for adults and children and, as 'Merry-go-Round Storytelling', I also create and deliver Storytelling Workshops and Creative Sessions for children.
I specialise in interactive, high-energy storytelling which is always tailored to suit every event.
I love telling stories. It's a wonderful way to engage both adults and children and I have a wealth of stories up my sleeve ready to share!
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I take my storytelling into Schools, Preschools, Venues, Events and Festivals.
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You can also commission me to write and develop stories for projects and events. I am an experienced project leader and an ACE Grant recipient (Test Valley Tales).
If 'Live Storytelling' isn't an option for you, I also have a number of Online Storytelling options which can be an exciting alternative.
This also means distance is not a problem and I've enjoyed running online events in a variety of ways from telling stories to schools in India to children's parties in America.
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I have an enhanced DBS and Public Liability Insurance.
Please get in touch with your storytelling requests, I'm very friendly and I'd love to hear from you!
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Upcoming Events!
Traditional Storyteller
As a traditional storyteller, I tell stories for all ages, in all kinds of locations and in many different ways!
From performance storytelling outdoors in the woods, with owls flying overhead (Hawk Conservancy Trust), to telling tales in a scout hut during a thunderstorm, when we weren't able to sit around the campfire! (YogaCamp UK). I've even told stories to children on the back of a farm truck (Leckford Farm Estate for Waitrose). The truck wasn't moving at the time ...
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With a background in the performing arts as both an actor and director, my storytelling is always energetic and engaging. I am comfortable working with audiences big and small and am happy to help devise a storytelling programme to suit your event.
As well as working with children in schools all over the South of England, I have worked for a variety of organisations and charities including:
The National Literacy Trust, The National Trust, English Heritage, Hampshire Libraries, Andover Trees United,
Royal Horticultural Society and The Hawk Conservancy Trust.
AndoverRocks Festival (which raises money for
for music intervention for adult mental health)
Andover Trees United
'Flowerbed Storytime'
in association with
Kew Gardens
'Grow Wild' Project
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Storytelling Workshops
and Creative Sessions
​Interactive Storytelling workshops for children.
All Merry-go-Round Storytelling workshops and sessions are devised and run by myself.
Every workshop is highly interactive and combines traditional storytelling with music, movement and drama to create an energetic and engaging storytelling experience.
I use a wide range of props (many of which are hand-made), as well as puppets and percussion instruments to make my workshops both visually exciting and fun to join in with.
Due to the highly interactive style of storytelling, these workshops are also suitable for very young children and children with special needs.
Creative Storytelling Workshops
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I also offer Creative Storytelling workshops. These combine puppet making, mask making and model making with storytelling and drama and are suitable for schools and events. I also offer Play in a Day workshops.
Pirate Storytelling puppet which accompanies my
'Pirate Jim's Magic Map' story
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Reviews
'The workshops were very well received from our side – visitors loved them and it was a great addition to our Summer offer. We really enjoyed working with you and the quality of your offer was very high.'
The National Trust, Mottisfont
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‘I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you for all your brilliance yesterday. You were fabulous and the children all had a really great time.’
Larkrise School, Wiltshire
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‘Thank you so much for such a fabulous day! I had brilliant feedback from children and teachers. They all had so much fun!! We have gone junk model crazy in my classroom!!’
Farleigh School Pre-prep, Hampshire
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"The workshop was fantastic. Rave reviews from the Head, the teachers and parents."
Camelsdale Primary School, Surrey
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‘You bring to life everyone's sense of wonder and fun (including the grown-ups!) I've enjoyed seeing him learn to relax and trust people and new situations which, I believe is largely because of his enjoyment of Merry-go-Round’
Parent
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‘Amanda is the best storyteller in the World’
Poppy - aged 5!
