Stef is an award-winning children’s author and presenter of fun and educational author talks. She is an experienced Montessori teacher and children’s presenter running tailored story workshops for large groups of all ages.

Preschoolers to Prep

Stef’s storytime, songs and dance is a highly inclusive and educational experience for younger ages. She reads from 2-3 of her published books and encourages children to discuss the plot and characters in a fun and engaging way.

Grade 1 to Grade 4

Stef’s entertaining author talks include reading one of her published books and including the students in discussion on key scenes, themes, plot and character.

This discussion leads into how students’ personal experiences may spark a story idea. Stef will develop story seeds with students.

Stef can also complete an inclusive art activity with younger groups - either a drawing, word search or origami activity that links with themes from her books. This helps cement the learning outcomes.

Grade 5-6

Stef engages with this older age group by presenting current graphic novels and how they capture all the elements of story (note - graphic novels are inclusive of all reading levels at this age).

As a group, they will workshop a story seed using visual images, crafting a short graphic novel.

Students can then workshop their own story seed using the graphic novel approach in smaller groups. These can be used in class as story seeds for their curriculum work.

Testimonials 

“Stef did a wonderful job of keeping all children engaged in age-appropriate workshops from the littlest Foundation student to the soon to be graduating Grade 6's.”

F Cunningham, Librarian, Bellbrae Primary School

“All the students loved Stef’s story workshops and we now have some very enthusiastic young authors at Lisieux.”

J Graham, Grade 4 Teacher/Librarian, Lisieux, Catholic Primary School

“I’m going to write a book about a lost dog and get it published like Stef.”

Student A, Grade 2, Bellbrae Primary School

 “Thanks for the visit. I’ve got my own story board to write a book on a Space Chicken.”

Student T, Grade 5, Anakie Primary School

“You’ve set my whole class up with great story plots for our Term 3 curriculum. Thanks!”

Mr J, Grade 6 teacher, Dingley Primary School

 “I didn’t realise picture books had so many layers of messages”.

R. Howell, Attendee – Local Word Festival, Geelong 2022 (Stef Gemmill, Panel Member ‘Writing for Resilience in Children’)