Once upon a time in a small town called Ipoh lived a six-year-old girl whose imagination knew no bounds. Her thirst for consuming stories was insatiable as too her fondness for recounting fables. This little girl’s name is Jeanisha Wan and today, at age 40-plus, she’s determined to make good on her dream to build a world where fairy tales reign supreme.
After having spent some time in the world of finance and the corporate line for more than 20 years, Wan is realising her dream with her new event space, aptly named The Story Book, a quaint little place where ‘magic’ really does come alive. The Story Book opened its ‘pages’ to the public just a month ago during the bustle of Chinese New Year celebrations.
“It was very encouraging to see people turning up for our Beauty and the Beast event even though it was the peak of Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day back in February!” begins Wan, excitedly. Fret not if you missed that event because there are others lined up, such as A Rabbit’s Tale to be held in conjunction with Easter weekend on April 7. On this day you’ll get to see Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit come alive on stage. So, do come dressed in your best bunny outfit!
EDUCATIONAL BRIDGE
Located strategically in Plaza Arkadia at Desa ParkCity, KL, The Story Book is set in the surrounds of a thriving educational hub of this up-and-coming neighbourhood. An international school is situated just across the street and there are other educational centres in the same building block. This is perhaps one of the reasons that attracted Wan to set up shop here instead of her hometown in Ipoh as she’d first envisioned.
“It was by pure chance that I stumbled upon this place one day late last year. I came for a stroll not knowing I’d end upsigning a contract and opening this store two months later. Some things just click. you know?” she confides with a smile.
The Story Book, with its spacious interior, heavy black-out curtains over large windows and high ceiling is the perfect backdrop for stories to come alive and for imagination to run, away from prying eyes. Don’t be surprised to spot characters from children’s classics ‘materialising’ in front of you as plays, dramas, dance recitals are all performed here.
“We’re not just showcasing a single play or drama where people just come and watch and neither are we just having a book reading session and then calling it a day. What we’re essentially trying to do is to cultivate a sense of curiosity and encourage interactivity,” explains Wan, adding: “We want to encourage people to pick up the written word again by first experiencing the stories within. And when people do that, they’ll end up reading the story but in a very different light.”
STANDING OUT
Popping up from all the grey that makes up the contemporary building block is a big red door that resembles a classic book cover. Across it, the words The Story Book is stenciled in gold, while a light brown wall frames it to mimic bookshelves.
There’s no way you won’t stop in your tracks if you happen to pass it. “I’ve gotten so many people peeking in and asking us what we are, even before we were opened for business,” confides Wan, with a chuckle, continuing: “I guess I didn’t make a mistake when I decided to install that door!”
My own curiosity piqued, I give the door a slight push. Suddenly, a mechanical voice bellows out from somewhere in the corner. “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose. By any other word would smell as sweet.”
Startled, I recognise that famous line from Shakespeare’s famous Romeo And Juliet. “Yes, your experience of stories starts from the doorway,” says Wan, smiling.
As I make my way in, my senses are pleasantly accosted by the smell of fresh breads and pastries mingling with the distinctive musty scent of printed books. I duly discover that on a normal day, The Story Book acts as a small book café where customers can enjoy breads or pastries from various artisanal bakeries, homemade ice cream by The Last Polka, and trawl for something to read from the selection offered by the Bookalicious’ popup store set up in one corner.
It is on weekends and selected weekday nights that the space magically transforms into an enchanting fairy tale kingdom where princesses, wizards, mad hatters, knights, as well as a multitude of other personalities come alive to bid visitors a very warm welcome.
STARTING YOUNG
Wan’s passion for the written word was instilled in her by her father, who, she confides, wasn’t only an avid reader but also a prolific writer. “He’s actually a very creative person and I think all four of us siblings (all sisters) are gifted in writing thanks to his DNA,” she shares, chuckling.
Unfortunately, circumstances back in the days were not really conducive for ‘imaginative’ people such as her dad and it was no surprise that he ended up in a conventional 9-5 job that helped pay the bills. However, he never allowed the ‘situation’ to diminish his passion for learning and guiding.
“He’d always put on the cassette recorder and encourage us to tell our stories. Never once did he admonish us for exaggerating or making up ‘wild stories’ that we all obviously knew were physically impossible. But he did correct our English like a strict headmaster!” recalls Wan, before adding with a chuckle: “I was able to save one of the recordings of myself storytelling when I was six. And just from those few minutes, it’s very clear that I’d always been the one who wanted to be heard. I’d used to try and stop my sisters from telling their stories just so I could continue with mine!”
Despite hailing from a family that wasn’t so well-to-do, Wan recalls how she would always find ways to procure books to read. “Books were my way of indulging in a world filled with fantasies,” she confides, adding: “I’d usually borrow them from the library or perhaps get hand-me-downs from friends or relatives. I was also one of those customers in bookstores that they loved to hate because I’d usually pick a book to read and finish it in the store before it closed!”
MORE THAN JUST BOOKS
With reading and storytelling being such a huge motivator in Wan’s formative years, it’s no surprise then that The Story Book was born. Muses Wan: “Imagine. when a child dresses up like Cinderella and she’s able to portray her in a play, the character from the book will definitely resonate more for the child, don’t you think?”
In addition, Wan views the ability to tell stories as being an important life skill, especially among the younger generation. Explains Wan: “I feel that people who are able to tell a story well and know their stories have higher imagination. This normally sets them apart from others. And success usually follows suit for these people because they view the sky as their limit.”
Continuing, she offers: “One very good example is Steve Jobs. To me, the one reason he was so good with Apple is because he sold us a really believable story (of the product) and we bought it hook, line and sinker! Besides, it’s a known fact that if people can’t tell stories, it means they didn’t read any or may not even know of any.”
However, she’s quick to concede that this idea may not exactly be something new, especially in this day and age where podcasts and videos are readily available for free and in abundance online. Her eyes shining, Wan confides that she aspires to emulate the success of Tan Sri Anthony Francis ‘Tony’ Fernandes who made flying possible for the common man thanks to his low cost airline carrier when the skies were already saturated with many others.
“Technically, he never changed the airplane nor built a new model. All he did was to change the way airplanes are made available to the public. This is how he delivered the product to the customers and that’s what I’m trying to do with books,” she explains.
Suddenly, the sound of thunder rumbles outside and I take that as my cue to bid farewell. As Wan accompanies me to the big red door for my exit to the grey world outside, she says: “I know it sounds like a grand mission. Maybe it’s a bit like Frodo (the Hobbit from Lord of the Rings written by JRR Tolkien) who was chosen to undertake a huge task without actually knowing what’s around the corner.”
Stopping as we reach the door, Wan says in conclusion: “But when things seem tough, I’m always reminded of Galadriel’s (the elven guardian of the Golden Wood in Lord of the Rings) assurance to Frodo, “Even the smallest of persons can change the future.” And I’m determined to be that person to make reading and books great again.”
For info, visit www.thestorybook.my