WHAT began as a way to tell better stories to her toddler proved to be a turning point for a mother to delve deeper into various creative pursuits.
Tun ’Alia Nadirah Ahmad Suhaimi, 44, from Putrajaya, has spent more than a decade pursuing her creative interests through education, community work, writing, illustration and storytelling.
Today, the mother-of-four wears many hats including author, illustrator, storyteller and community educator.
Tun ’Alia, who holds a Master of Business Administration and has experience in marketing and business, started her storytelling journey in 2013 when her first child was just six months old.
Wanting to better understand children and their development, she enrolled in a professional certification programme in early childhood education and worked at childcare centres.
In 2014, she went to the UK where her husband was pursuing higher education.
There, Tun ’Alia immersed herself in the local community.
“I participated in playgroups, reading circles, sewing groups, and short courses.
“I enjoyed it and began to understand the power of community-based learning, where education does not always have to happen inside a classroom,” she said.
The experience would prove invaluable when the family returned to Malaysia in 2016 and her husband was posted to Kuala Rompin, Pahang.
Tun ’Alia began homeschooling her two children.
“I have taught them by the beach and in the forest, as we explored and travelled,” she said.
The family moved to Putrajaya in 2019, where regular visits to public libraries sparked another idea.
Tun ’Alia noticed there were few opportunities for children to listen, speak, perform and tell stories.
“I approached the neighbourhood learning centre (PPK) and offered my services as a storyteller and public-speaking coach,” she said.
She used an international syllabus and knowledge gained through her husband’s involvement with Toastmasters, a global non-profit educational organisation that teaches public speaking.
“For more than a year, every Thursday became storytelling day. Then word spread.
“Participation grew and parents began volunteering to sponsor food and learning materials.
“Soon, I began training parents to tell stories themselves, allowing us to take turns,” she said.
Another unexpected turning point came when her daughter won a writing competition organised by Putrajaya Corporation (PPj) and was invited to attend a writing workshop.
“I tagged along and learned so much that I started writing stories and later discovered that I could illustrate too.
“Then I was involved in the Malaysia Board on Books for Young People, a non-profit promoting children’s literature and storytelling circles, which opened further opportunities to tell stories at public libraries.
“Despite accumulating a diverse set of skills, I was still described simply as a housewife.
“Rather than challenge the label with words, I decided to challenge it through action.”
In 2021, Tun ’Alia published her first book, Plogging, which she also illustrated.
She marketed the book through storytelling and sold some 2,000 copies, which then opened doors to paid storytelling engagements.
Her first professional storytelling assignment on Malaysian folklore led her to the story of Puteri Saadong.
“Although the story involves a murder, I discovered that it gave children opportunities to understand emotions, morality, consequences and the realities of life.
“My storytelling was no longer simply a read-aloud session accompanied by dramatic changes in voice.
“It became a performance involving storytelling, acting and at times, singing.”
Today, Tun ’Alia has authored and illustrated five books.
“There are very few authors and illustrators who are actively involved in storytelling, or who become storytellers themselves,” she said.
“I hope more creative professionals will cross disciplines, bringing together different skills rather than confining themselves to a single role.
“Stories can help children and communities explore emotions, understand consequences, develop personality and connect with their culture.
“That is why I see storytelling as more than a hobby,” Tun ’Alia added.
