Introducing Gillian Torckler, a seasoned Sleepy Storyteller!

By Ōtepoti He Puna Auaha | Dunedin UNESCO City Of Literature | Posted: Monday Jul 14, 2025

Head along to the UBS sleepover and meet Henry! If you like planes, you're in for a treat!

Gillian became a world traveller at a young age, and she's called Aotearoa New Zealand home since she's a teen. She loves nature, the sea, and our native bush - especially kauri trees. She has been writing for children for many years, creating picture book stories and non fiction, but also poetry and stories that make you think. Her hope is to make New Zealand nature and stories accessible to Kiwi kids.

Gillian has a friend called Henry Fanshaw and at this #thebigteddybearsleepover, we'll get to hear about his third adventure! It's a behind the scenes book about the antics of the New Zealand Air Force during peace-time.

Buy tickets here: Search - The Big Teddy Bear Sleepover with Sleepy Storytellers July 2025