Snail Tales is a group of storytellers led by Society for Storytelling director Chip Colquhoun. Since 2007, we have been sharing stories with hundreds of thousands of children of all ages. Where we differ from most storytellers is that we also listen - we love it when children are inspired by storytelling to share their stories with us. We then have a habit of telling their stories ourselves, interweaving them into the oral tradition through our nationwide theatre tours and festival visits!

Just as a snail carries its home on its back, Snail Tales brings stories you will carry with you for life. Our storytelling excites, encourages, inspires, and calms, all in one enchanting journey, and our aim is always to help your children become better storytellers themselves.

Our range of storytelling programmes employs traditional storytelling as it's been done for countless millennia... but often makes use of puppetry, ventriloquism, live music and magic, too. Ideal for speaking and listening, preparing to write, or even introducing a topic in history, geography, SEAL, RE or PSHCE. If we're not offering a theme or topic you're looking for, please just ask - we're always happy to research new stories for you!

Every performance can be backed up with workshops on storytelling or storymaking. They are especially designed to allow children of all abilities enjoy the arts of public speaking and/or creating without any pressure to write, act, or do anything else they don't want to do. Almost always, this leaves children with a desire to start writing or performing of their own accord.

Our flagship product is the Little Birds residency. For as little as £400, we'll visit your school for an entire week guiding a group of children through the process of making exciting and cohesive stories from scratch. We don't supply the characters, settings or plots - just the technique. The resulting stories are so good, some of them get picked to go on theatre tour! And if that weren't enough, all participants get lifetime membership of our interactive story-making website.

That's not all. EVERY Snail Tales whole day programme AND Little Birds residency comes with FREE AFTERSCHOOL TEACHER TRAINING - so your school can be left with inspired teachers, too!

“Children are constantly being pushed to write to formula. But if they can get excited by a story, then they don't feel under pressure when asked to write it down... Your work always kicks off some excellent creative activity from my class.”
Yr3 teacher, St Philip's School, about our Little Birds workshops

“We will miss you and your wonderful telling. You are the best storytellers ever.”
Jenna, age 8

“They absolutely loved each session with Snail Tales. Chip and Amy are delightful and work well with children and teachers. I would recommend this type of workshop again.”
Head of Yr2, Suffolk, about our Little Birds workshops

“You had good control, and it was great that the children were actively involved in the story and that so many children were able to participate.”
Pre-prep teacher, Madingley, about a Create-Your-Own

“Kids were very engaged in the dynamic sessions. You found the perfect pitch for their age and ability. Thank you for all your efforts in preparing a great day!”
Yr4 teacher, London, about our Greek programme

“Here is an engaging, thought-provoking troupe which will provide you with everything: education, entertainment and value-for-money.”
Head of English, Sussex, about our Resurrection Myths programme

“It was better than TV!”
Evan, age 6

No publications currently available