Page 62 - Mosaic Digest Magazine

61 II MOSAIC DIGEST
LITERATURE
Ania Danylo’s ‘The Elephant’s Christmas Wish’ is a heartwarming tale of perseverance and dreams, beautifully capturing the magic of inclusivity and festive spirit. Written in charming rhyme and paired with delightful illustrations, this enchanting book inspires young readers to follow their dreams while celebrating creativity, hope, and the power of storytelling.
world of children’s literature. With a robust background in directing plays such as The Diary of Anne Frank , Medea , Pope Joan
, and multiple works by Shakespeare, she has developed a deep understanding of the art of storytelling—skills that shine through in her two published children’s books, The Elephant’s Christmas Wish and Zolemina: The Should Do, Could Do, Would Do Cat. These picture books, written in rhyme with options for full-color and coloring book versions, combine her flair for narrative with her passion for education and creativity.
Exploring Perseverance, Dreams, andThe Power Of S torytelling
Ania Danylo Brings Storytelling Magic from Theatre to Children’s Literature
Ania Danylo discusses her transition from theatre to children’s books, highlighting storytelling, inclusivity, perseverance, and collaborations while sharing insights from her experience as an educator, director, and writing mentor.
ABEN ALAN LONDON
nia Danylo, a seasoned theatre professional with over 25 years of experience as an actor, direc- tor, writer, and instructor, brings her storytelling expertise to the
special, the story took shape as a book that would capture the essence of perseverance and dreams, themes that resonate deeply with her life’s work in the arts.
Balancing multiple roles—educator, director, writer, and even certified hypnotherapist—Danylo has found ways
to harmonize her diverse passions. As an acting instructor, she has taught at reputable institutions like Calgary’s Storybook Theatre and the JRP Film Acting Academy. She shared, “Balancing the roles of educator, director, and writer can be challenging, but I’ve found that each aspect informs and enriches the others in wonderful ways.” These roles, she explained, are interwoven, with each enriching the narrative perspective she brings to her writing and teaching.
In addition to her theatrical accomplishments, Danylo has expanded
her repertoire to include work in film and television. Reflecting on the transition from theatre to screen, she explained, “Theatre is like talking into a megaphone—everything expands out—while film is like turning the megaphone backwards—everything contracts in.” While theatre immerses both performers and audiences in a shared experience,
film requires precision and subtlety, with storytelling often resting in the hands of the editor. These distinct mediums have given Danylo a fresh lens for crafting narratives, whether on stage, on screen, or on the pages of her books.
Her work as a certified hypnotherapist
has also enhanced her teaching. Danylo incorporates tools like visualization and
body mirroring to help actors connect with their roles, emphasizing the importance of specificity and confidence. “Providing a safe environment where actors feel comfortable to take risks, push boundaries, and, yes, laugh
Danylo credits much of her storytelling prowess to her theatrical background. In an interview with Reader’s House Magazine,
she shared how her years in theatre taught her about developing characters, creating conflict, and building tension, all of which are essential elements in crafting compelling stories for children. “Engaging in directing and acting in the theatre is all about the art of storytelling. Shakespeare was a genius at it,” she noted. While her work celebrates classic storytelling techniques, she also draws inspiration from poets and writers like Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky, blending their playful charm with the depth of her theatrical roots.
Her journey as an author began unexpectedly when she shared a poem—now the core of The Elephant’s Christmas Wish— with one of her adult acting students. The student’s comment, “Why am I not reading this as a book to my grandkids at Christmas?” sparked the idea of transforming the poem into a children’s book. Although Danylo initially envisioned it as a TV animation