Storytime at MCM London Comic Con last weekend was absolutely AMAZING!
Superhero Bugs Are Alive!
Leading up to this event, I had been working on my new Music Audio Story, Superhero Bugs. I couldn't wait to play the story to the children knowing that their ears, would be the first to hear my new music audiobook!
The story takes place at Bugsville Country Fair. The same Bugsville where The Bug Club lives in the story, Litter Bugs! A honeybee called, Honey, meets a grasshopper called, Gary, and they learn about each other's talents through a fun song. The honeybee explains to Gary, that his talents are his superpowers, and together, they sing a catchy sing-along song about being superhero bugs.
As I wrote the song in this story, I was visualising dance moves that I knew children would love doing. Sure enough, at MCM, the kids had a great time singing and dancing along and it was so much fun performing all the moves I had choreographed. 
Anna Christina dancing with the children at MCM | Photography by Harald Haugan | ©2023 Haugan Photography
I began my Storytime with a read-aloud of Billy Joins the Circus through a microphone. While superheroes of all sorts wandered about, my singing was heard loudly through ExCel London, and began to attract a colourful crowd!
Lots of children took part in my Storytime on both days but on Saturday, I had the largest audience I have performed in front of at Storytime! It was AWESOME!
After my book reading and singing, I played the Music Audio Story, so that children could hear the character's voices and sing and dance along with Billy the Monkey.
We then entered my world of bugs and at this moment, I put on my antennae. This caused a chuckle! 
I played my story, Weird and Wonderful. This story is calmer and gave everyone a chance to catch their breath after jumping around during Billy Joins the Circus!
Although my Storytime is highly entertaining, I always like to incorporate learning into my workshops. Children learn values such as self-belief, kindness toward animals and confidence-boosting messages. I encourage children to sing a line from Billy's song with me as loud as they can, "YES I CAN!" Powerful words we all need to sing to ourselves!
The children at MCM Comic Con brought our Superhero Bug characters to life with their bright colouring in.
I also teach about the bugs in the story such as how many legs they have. I use visual aids (see the middle photo below) to help the younger children understand how they look. I think both children and their parents enjoy it when I asked questions about the story and bugs and allow them to answer through the microphone! 
Next up, I played Superhero Bugs and I only have one word to sum this up - EPIC! 
Anna Christina teaching the children at MCM | Photography by Harald Haugan | ©2023 Haugan Photography
I take away so much from my Storytimes and feel the need to give back to my audience as much as I can. I want everyone to leave my workshop feeling uplifted and inspired. So many children and parents told me at the end, how much they enjoyed my 'performance'. This really is music to my ears!
Thank you to all of the wonderful families who attended my workshops over the weekend. I am thrilled that I managed to bring you so much joy. You have all made me feel incredibly happy too. Thank you! Don't forget to #MusicAudioStories on your little one's drawings so we can all admire their artwork.
Keep a lookout on our social media platforms as I will be posting more fun photos and video footage of my fun Storytime at MCM Comic Con!
BIG thank you to Charlotte, Aff and Paul, and to Harald and Ross for capturing my Storytime on camera!
What a weekend!
Anna Christina
Links
Shop | Billy Joins the Circus | The Making of a Picture Book | Unboxing | Work for Good
