Wendy Shearer

Meet Anansi
2026-01-16 09:45 - 10:45 (Europe/London) | British Library, British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, London, NW1 2DB, United Kingdom
It’s time to celebrate the new year with the Ashanti trickster god of wisdom – Anansi the spider. Wendy Shearer will be telling one of her favourite Anansi stories followed by a colourful, fun arts and crafts session where you all get to let your imagination run free. This is a free workshop at the British Library, aimed at under 5s with music, puppets and materials.
Book your free space.

Meet Anansi part 2
2026-01-16 11:00 - 12:00 | British Library, British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, London, NW1 2DB, United Kingdom

Blast at Bishops Castle
2026-01-16 20:00 - 22:00 | Bishop’s Castle, Bishop's Castle Town Hall, Shropshire, SY9, United Kingdom
Begin 2026 with an evening of beautiful lies and startling truths at BLAST’S Winter Storytelling series held in Bishops Castle on the Shropshire/Welsh border. This event is on every 2nd Friday of the month and Wendy Shearer will be weaving African history with myths and legends with tales of the richest African Emperor Mansa Musa and the wisest trickster Kweku Anansi.
In between stories there will be tea, home-made cakes and Wendy’s book on sale (Caribbean Folktales: stories from the islands and the Windrush Generation) BLAST is cash only – so bring some extra cash – or there is a cash machine 2 minutes walk down the hill.
Doors open 7.30pm for an 8pm start.

The World Reimagined
2026-01-31 11:15 - 13:15 | Southwark cathedral, London Bridge, London, SE1 9DA
What better way to start the new year than at Southwark Cathedral for ‘The World Reimagined’s Triangle of Unity Family Event‘.
This special event brings communities together to learn, reflect, and celebrate how our shared histories connect us all.
During the event, 10 stunning globes created by students from two Southwark schools will be on display. Each reflecting important themes of heritage, identity, and climate change.
Wendy Shearer will be performing stories in 2 separate sessions, inspired by African and Caribbean myths and legends.
Session times: 11.15am – 11.45am and 12.45pm – 1.15pm.

Super Great Kids' Stories online
2026-04-11 18:00 - 19:30
Traditional stories for children, live online (or watch later) with our online presenters, Jason Buck and Amy Douglas who will be featuring Wendy Shearer. Join us for a fun event as Wendy tells the West African folktale of ‘How the Leopard Got its Spots.’
Date: Saturday 11th April, 2026
Time: 6pm – 7.30pm
Book your ticket
Super Great Kids’ Patreons, check the site for discount codes.

Wantage Children's Literary Festival
2026-05-30 15:00 - 16:00 | The Beacon, Wantage, Portway, OX12 9BX, United Kingdom
Wendy Shearer is delighted to be taking part in the very first Wantage Children’s Books Festival, a joyful celebration of stories, imagination and community. With a busy programme of exciting events from some of the UK’s best loved authors and illustrators, there’s something on offer for families with children of all ages, from babies up to teens.
Wendy will be sharing stories from her book: African and Caribbean Folktales, Myths and Legends, taking everyone on a playful journey through the rainforest celebrating characters from her book.
Date: Saturday 30th May 2026
Address: The Beacon. Portway, Wantage, Oxfordshire. OX12 9BX
Session time: 3pm, Ridgeway Room
Book your free ticket

Rewilding Fairytales Course
2026-06-03 18:00 - 19:00
An exceptional online course run on the Advaya platform, curated by Dr Joanna Gilar exploring the layered history of folk tales across cultures. Wendy Shearer will be telling her adaptation of Mansa Musa, the Emperor of Mali and Phylis Wheatley, the first enslaved woman from The Gambia to have her poetry published in the UK. Wendy will discuss her process for rewilding fairytales – blending complex histories with ecological narratives that can offer new ways to reclaim forgotten variants.
Date: Wednesday 3rd June
Time: 6pm – 7pm
Platform: Online
Book your place

Windrush Family Day
2026-06-24 12:30 - 2026-06-27 13:15 | South London Gallery, 65-67 Peckham Road, Peckham, SE5 8UH, United Kingdom
Get ready to dance through the stories as Wendy celebrates Caribbean folklore and history for South London Gallery’s Windrush Family Day. This is a family event for children. There will be tales of Caribbean tricksters and rainforest adventures on beautiful islands.
Time: 12.15pm – 1.00pm
Venue: Clore Studio, South London Gallery

Crafting Family Mythologies Course
2026-07-07 19:00 - 2026-07-21 20:30 | Online
Join Wendy Shearer live online for 3 sessions where you get to create memorable stories or artwork inspired by your family memories, anecdotes, folklore, legends and tales. Crafting Family Mythologies Online is perfect for anyone interested in creating an imaginative space to connect with their family/community history and create a visual, written or oral story.
Join other curious writers, storytellers, artists and family history enthusiasts as Wendy guides you with creative exercises, reflections and discussion, in a relaxed and welcoming space.

You will learn

Oral history practices for finding & preserving stories
How to use myths, folklore and legends to shape your story.
How to use use objects/photos as memory triggers and clues
How to creatively fill or leave unresolved gaps in your family history

Dates: 7th July, 14th July 21st July
Time: 7.00pm – 8.30pm BST
Course Outline
Week 1
Choosing your story

Capture oral history – what to ask and how to interview ethically
Interpret family objects/photos to spark imagination and memories

Week 2
Shaping your story

Explore the ingredients of Myths, folklore and legends
Map your story with traditional tales

Week 3
Setting your story

Create imaginative and symbolic landscapes
Use rituals, proverbs & traditions

With creative exercises, reflections and discussion.
Tickets are available to buy on Eventbrite
