Find out more about an Australian organisation bringing digital storytelling into classrooms.
Digital storytelling has become a popular and accessible way to bring the joys and benefits of storytelling to children, and StoryBox is a leading innovator in this space in Australia.
To learn more about StoryBox’s model – including offerings, opportunities, and challenges – we asked StoryBox’s Business Development Manager, Teresa Mei Macri, some questions.
What is StoryBox and what does it offer?
At StoryBox, our mission is simple – to celebrate storytelling and to show children the power of stories to connect, engage, inspire and educate.
StoryBox Hub is home to StoryBox Library and Story Tools – two innovative resources designed by educators, for educators. We bring the magic of storytelling to life through dynamic story videos and a digital platform that inspires creativity and supports literacy outcomes.
StoryBox Library is a digital library of 600+ beloved and award-winning Australian picture book stories designed to inspire reading in kids of all ages. With features like Read-Along, closed captions, Auslan stories, a First Nations’ series and engaging audio-visual content, StoryBox Library is designed to be inclusive and accessible for all children.
Story Tools is an innovative creative writing resource used by teachers, librarians and educators to support literacy programs. These high-quality video tutorials feature Australia’s best children’s writers, illustrators and literature experts giving children exclusive access to real-life creators and their behind-the-scenes processes.
How does it work?
StoryBox Hub is built on the belief that creativity, literacy and access to diverse stories are essential for every child. With all content created and managed in-house, the team remains committed to producing educationally aligned, inclusive and beautifully crafted story videos and accompanying resources that support teachers, engage children and empower storytellers of all ages.
Access to StoryBox Hub is available via a 12-month subscription and gives users access to hundreds of much-loved stories, interactive creative writing tutorials and curriculum-aligned resources.
Why is StoryBox’s model effective?
Promotes wellbeing: With 1 in 7 primary-aged children experiencing mental health challenges, it’s more important than ever to support their wellbeing from an early age. By sharing stories, connecting through discussion and fostering empathy, parents, educators and librarians can use our digital collection to explore themes of resilience. At StoryBox, we want to help children to feel understood, validated and secure in their emotions.
Accessible and inclusive: We’re passionate about accessibility and representation. With a StoryBox subscription, children gain access to hundreds of stories via captivating story reads that champion inclusivity with First Nations, Auslan and diverse stories and storytellers. Our story reads are an immersive experience that blend images, text, sound effects and audio catering to diverse learning needs.
Supports language and literacy skills: Reading aloud to children greatly improves language and literacy skills, especially in the early years of a child’s development. Our digital resource empowers kids to develop essential language, literacy and reading skills through immersive stories and interactive content. Studies show that children who were exposed to more storybooks showed a greater inclination to read for pleasure and in turn, had more advanced literacy skills as adolescents.
Safe and trusted platform: StoryBox is an ad-free, secure and educational platform. In 2023, we received our Safer Technologies for Schools badge, meaning that our platform meets the highest standards in data protection for educators and students. We also partner with Intopia, a disability-led social enterprise, working towards applying Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 throughout our platform.
What are the challenges for StoryBox?
As a digital platform, there is often a pushback against screens and screentime; however, it’s important to understand the benefits and importance of quality digital technology in childhood. Statements from Early Childhood Australia maintain that technology, when used thoughtfully, is an extremely effective and powerful tool for learning. The key is in how the technology is used and the intent behind it.
StoryBox’s multimodal stories aren’t about replacing books or real-world experiences – they’re about enhancing them and providing opportunities for children to engage with digital tools meaningfully. Importantly, these experiences also nurture digital literacy. Children are learning to navigate different modes – visual, auditory, text – and to make meaning across them. That’s exactly the kind of communication skill they’ll need in today’s world.
Access to books that genuinely meet a child’s individual needs is shaped by so many factors – cultural background, where they live, their family’s socioeconomic circumstances, and even the school they attend. Access inequalities become even more challenging with the decline in funding for qualified librarians and well-resourced school libraries. This means that we must recognise that not all children have the same opportunity to discover the magic of books, but with StoryBox , no matter where you are, you will always have access to a library of stories!
Find out more about StoryBox via their website.