Audio Books
New for 2023
I have written, recorded and produced two audiobooks, releasing 25.10.23. Available in all major online sites
These twelve delightful short stories were originally commissioned for the award winning radio show 'Suzy and Friends.
In each story, Imogen and Roari the dragon meet a new character from Bluey the penquin, Leopold the Illustrious - the sea lion to the Easter Bunny. It includes to Xmas stories. Narrated by Simon Taylor with fun voices for each animal and bird.
A six episode fantasy adventure serial for children.
Twelve-year-old Callam finds a stone of unusual thinness and colour. He tells his best friend Leisha, together they try to find out more about it.
They meet a museum professor, who behaves suspiciously, an elderly couple who know much about the stone and its history than they say. Is it a stone or a scale of a mythical beast?
To his horror Callam turns into a dragon at night. He
tells Leisha and together begin their exciting journey
of magic, monsters and mystery.
'Suzy Cato and Friends' Flash News
Proud that my stories feature on Suzy Cato and Friends show, now awarded 'Best Children's (radio) programme.'
I write, record and produce them. Thanks to the great Phil Yule (VoiceBox) for his expert fine tuning.
My books are now available at....
Paper Plus Masterton, Feilding, Palmerston North
No 5 Cafe Hastings
The Arts Centre Hastings
Elsthorpe Artisans shop - Elsthorpe
The Arts Centre - Palmerston North
Books and Co - Otaki
For the love of BOOKS Featherston
and more
Or you can contact me direct.
simontaylorstoryteller@gmail.com
Storytelling.. In Hawkes Bay for Free
If your primary school is in Hawkes Bay, post cyclone, I will waive all fees.
See below for details of my storyteller sessions; packages, cost and how to contact me
Now available on ibooks.Electonic and paperback
https://books.apple.com/nz/author/simon-taylor/id1454669884 5
Imogen and Roari meet
Penni the Pixxi
Imogen has a special friend. A boy dragon called Roari. They decide to fly on a day out to the woods. As they explore, they meet someone very special. Penni the Pixxi.
This is the third in the series of the delightful stories of Imogen and Roari the dragon and their big adventures.
A charming story magically captured by the colourful pictures created by Charlotte Salliss - Jones.
Now on Amazon - Kindle and paperback
Now on ibooks:https://books.apple.com/nz/author/simon-taylor/id1454669884 5
The Stone of Undurbedd
Imogen returns to Undurbedd. Her friends Corshus and Norti have been kidnapped by the evil Bagsheela. With her friend Roari, a boy dragon, they must help their friends escape and then capture the precious Stone of Undurbedd from Bagsheela, before she can master its powers. An action-packed fantasy adventure, strong characterisation.
Now on Amazon - Kindle and paperbackNow on ibooks:https://books.apple.com/nz/author/simon-taylor/id1454669884 5.
Chylgar - The Crown of Power
The second in the series; 'Boy and the wolves of Chylgar'.
Boy is called back to Chylgar. The Emperor's Warlocks and soldiers have invaded, searching for the 'Crown of Power'.
Boy, riding on the giant talking wolves return to the Purple Mountain, site of the Lost City.
Chased by Warlocks, soldiers and the Emperor's beasts, Boy must use his powers to protect them. Can they discover the Crown of Power before the Warlocks and save the Land?
Imogen and Roari the Dragon - a big adventure
An enchanting story about eight year old Imogen and her unexpected visitor, Roari the Dragon.
Beautifully illustrated, it describes how Imogen "calls" Roari from another land and how together, they fly off in search of Scratch, a lost puppy.
For 3-7 year olds.
The first in the 'Imogen and Roari' series.
Now on Amazon - Kindle
Now on ibooks, electronic and paperback:
https://books.apple.com/nz/author/simon-taylor/id1454669884 5
Imogen and Roari go to the seaside
This is the second book in the series about Imogen and her best friend, Roari the dragon.
Imogen is sad because she has never been to the seaside. Can Roari help?
The delightfully illustrated story brings to life this magical tale as once again Imogen and Roari fly off on another big adventure.
For 3-7 year olds.
Now on ibooks, electronic and paperback:
https://books.apple.com/nz/author/simon-taylor/id1454669884 5
Imogen and the Children of Undurbedd
Imogen and the Children from Undurbedd
Simon Taylor
Illustrated by Bemmygail
Imogen's best friend is a 4-metre-tall dragon called Roari. She is about to meet the children from a land called Undurbedd, where the people live in harmony with the land.
She meets and becomes friends with two local children. She becomes known to the leader of the village and learns she is the only means of saving the Land from destruction.
A story of magic and adventure with wonderful illustrations by Bemmygail
A story for 6 - 10 year olds
Now on Amazon - Kindle & paperbaook
Now on ibooks, electronic and paperback:
https://books.apple.com/nz/author/simon-taylor/id1454669884 5
Boy and the Wolves of Chylgar
A story of magic, adventure and fantasy for children 7-12+years old.
An ordinary boy who hates his name.
A boy who is drawn into the world of Chylgar, by the talking wolves who protect the Land.
Aided by two local children, they ride the giant wolves on a perilous journey to seek a cure for the sickness that ails the wolf packs.
Tracked by the Emperor's soldiers, threatened by monstrous creatures, Boy discovers he has a special gift.
Can he control the power?
Can he protect the wolves?
Will they be in time?
A journey of magic and adventure.
Now available on Amazon
Kindle and paperback
Now on ibooks, electronic and paperback:
https://books.apple.com/nz/author/simon-taylor/id1454669884 5
Storytelling Packages
Storyteller Packages for
Primary Schools
I am an established children’s author, storyteller and radio broadcaster (e.g. Susie Cato and Friends radio show). I am offering storytelling, creative writing workshops and parents reading to their tamariki, workshops at your school.
What I can offer:
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Storytelling – Bringing books to life. Using my own books, I enact the stories, making the sessions fun and dramatic. For the younger children, it is very interactive. Hence, I give a younger child, one of my books as a prize for the best dragon 'roar'!
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Creative writing workshops – Class based workshops for up to thirty children. Encouraging children to relish the magic of using their imaginations to create and write their own stories. I explain a simple story construction and together we create a story outline, based on their ideas. I ask that teachers give time for the children to subsequently write their story and then send me the top four stories. I will pick the one I feel shows the most promise and send a prize of a $20 book token.
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Parents reading to their tamariki workshops - Give parents that confidence to read with and to, their tamariki. What adult does not remember the joy of being read to as a child. What teacher does not know the benefits to a child of reading with their parent(s).. But how many parents fear to make that first step? My session looks at why and when to read and how to make it personal to their circumstances and their individual needs/wants.
See below for
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Link to my website.
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A couple of my many flattering reviews.
I look forward to hearing from you
Regards
Simon
Simon Taylor
simontaylorstoryteller@gamil.com
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Sample Spreadsheet of sessions available and costs.
There is flexibility within this and I am happy to discuss this further to ensure the programme reflects your children’s needs.
Please note, if your school is within 20k of Hastings, there would be NO travel costs.
Simon Taylor
Manuka Package ($400)
A. Storytelling for 4-7year olds
Imogen and Roari the dragon go to the beach
Very interactive – voice and movement. (Book prize for best dragon roar)
1. Location - Main Hall
2. Max number - circa 120
3. Length of session once assembled - circa 50 mins
Plus
B. Storytelling for 8-11 year olds
Chapters from 'Boy and the Wolves of Chylgar'
Dramatic delivery featuring a range of voices
1. Location - Main Hall
2. Max Number - circa 120
3. Length of session once assembled - circa 50 mins
50 mins
Silver Fern Package ($500)
Storytelling AND creative writing
Creative writing for 8-11 year olds
The children and I discuss the importance of reading and writing and then together we discuss story construction and create the bones of a story, for writing up after. Top four stories are sent to me. I pick ‘the best’ and send a Paper Plus voucher for $20
1. Location - classroom
2. Max number - 30
3. Length of session - circa 50 mins
Kauri Package($700)
As above Plus a class for parents
Let’s read to our Tamariki
A class for parents, exploring the benefits of reading to their children and ways to help them focus on how it may be done to reflect their and their children’s needs.
Interactive
1. Location - classroom
2. Max number - 30
3. Length of session - circa 50 mins
Further Details:
1. Website
www.simontaylorstoryteller.com
2. Reviews of Storytelling sessions
Simon Taylor provided our tamariki with an amazing, captivating experience with his storytelling and then creative writing lesson. Through these sessions he inspired them to go away and read and write. We would love to have Simon come back and visit our school again.
Lytton Street School
Fielding
Kind regards,
Anna Lewis
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Hi Simon,
Hope you are well.
Firstly, Thank you for coming to visit our school on Wednesday, It was a fantastic and engaging experience.
The children really enjoyed the sessions, they were engaged and were very intrigued to find out what happened next.
Secondly, Greg and I personally felt that the story writing workshops were highly beneficial not just for the session you conducted but also for future writing opportunities. The children were inspired when they began to plan and write their stories. Thank you once again for visiting our school, feel free to use our comments.
Kind Regards
Hannah Gordon
Year 4 Teacher
Halesowen CE Primary
Some schools have been able to supply safe photos for me to use. So here are a few.
Cormorant Garamond is a classic font with a modern twist. It's easy to read on screens of every shape and size, and perfect for long blocks of text.
