From Page to Stage: Why Stories Still Matter

Peter Pan - Tocal Homestead

Celebrating International Children’s Book Day at Upstage Youth Theatre.

April 2nd marks International Children’s Book Day — a day to celebrate the stories that shaped us, sparked our imaginations, and offered us a window (or sometimes a secret door) into worlds beyond our own.

At Upstage, we believe storytelling is the golden thread that ties us together as a community and a society. It’s not just about acting or learning lines — it’s about connection. To ourselves, to each other, and to something bigger.

Because here’s the thing: storytelling is what makes us human.

From ancient cave paintings to bedtime tales, stories have always been how humans make sense of life. They help us pass on knowledge, wrestle with big emotions, and find meaning in the everyday. And this isn’t just poetic — it’s backed by science and insight from some of our most loved Australian authors.

Jackie French, author of Diary of a Wombat describes the importance of reading and stories in the development of emotional intelligence in children:

“Every book a child reads creates new neurons in that child’s brain. And every story helps that child understand more about their world and the people in it.”

Research backs this up. Reading and telling stories from a young age is linked to stronger intellectual development, greater emotional intelligence, and increased empathy. Children who are immersed in stories are more likely to understand the feelings of others, solve problems creatively, and become effective communicators — both on stage and in life.

Stories allow us to practise being human, over and over again.

To imagine. To reflect. To feel deeply.

Think about the books you loved as a child.
Maybe you got lost in Narnia.
Or giggled over The 13-Storey Treehouse.
Or felt seen and heard through Charlotte’s Web, Winnie-the-Pooh, or Blueback.
Whatever your story was — you probably still carry it with you.

And when those stories leap off the page and onto the stage?
Something magical happens.
Characters breathe.
We are given the opportunity to see a story through the artistic vision of others.
And audiences, big and small, are reminded that we are all, at heart, storytellers and story-listeners.

Whether we’re adapting a classic tale like The Magic Pudding, or dreaming up something entirely new, our mission is always the same:
To create spaces where young people (and adults, too!) can step into someone else’s shoes, feel deeply, express boldly, and connect meaningfully.

We want to hear from you!

What’s your favourite children’s book that’s been adapted for the stage?
Tell us in the comments, message us on socials, or tag a fellow bookworm — we’d love to hear the stories that still linger in your heart.

Because stories, when shared, only grow stronger.
And the world could always use a little more wonder.