Timeless by Kelly Canby
Our adaptation of Book of the Year award winner “Timeless” by Kelly Canby will inspire students to pause, reflect, embrace the moments that truly matter, and understand the value of Quality Time.
Available Terms 3 & 4 – In-school & online
Show synopsis:
Emit (whose parents turned back time to name him) is surrounded by busyness. Dad is too busy to read stories, Mum is too busy to play games and Emit’s brother and sister are simply too busy doing nothing to do anything, at all. Emit tries everything he can think of to get more time, he tries to catch it, wait for it, but it’s not until Emit tries to buy some time that he learns the secret which is, if you want time, you have to make it.
Key Themes: The value of time, Quality over Quantity, Mindfulness and Presence, Intergenerational wisdom, Connection and Relationships, Creativity and Imagination
Curriculum Areas: Personal & Social Capability; Health & Physical Education; Critical & Creative Thinking; English; Arts
Suitable for: Prep to Grade 6
Teacher resource pack included
Session length: 1 hour including Q&A
Online option available – see the details at the bottom of the page
Testimonials:
“[Students] found the show very enjoyable and it enhanced their knowledge regarding wellbeing and how spending time with loved ones is beneficial for mental health.” – Galston PS, NSW
“[Students] got the message about time being spent with loved ones, etc. I teach stage 3 and they got a lot out of the Q&A after the show.” – St Joseph’s PS, Glen Innes NSW
“You made it exciting and engaging, lots of singing and movement and actions.” – Balaklava PS, SA
Praise for the book:
“This is a very cleverly written picture book that weaves idioms about time into a strong narrative… For younger readers, it’s a beautiful lyrical read, with bright, beautiful illustrations that draw your attention. For older readers, it’s a great discussion starter.” @littlebookishteacher
“A topical theme in these social media-obsessed days” Brenton Cullen, Books+Publishing
About the show:
Our production of “Timeless,” is inspired by the award winning book by Kelly Canby.
When we first encountered this story, we were captivated by its whimsical illustrations and profound message about the essence of time. It spoke to the child in all of us, reminding us of the magic that can be found in everyday moments.
In our adaptation, we’ve taken inspiration from the delightful image of the lady in the shop—a character who embodies wisdom, warmth, and a touch of whimsy. She becomes Granny Grace in our story, a mentor and guide to young Emit. Granny Grace is a beacon of light in a world that often feels rushed and chaotic, teaching Emit and all of us about the true nature of quality time.
Emit’s journey is one of discovery, filled with humour, heart, and a bit of chaos. As he navigates his way through a busy world, he learns that time cannot be bought or hoarded; it is a gift to be cherished. Through the wisdom of Granny Grace, Emit realises that quality time is not about the quantity of minutes, but the richness of moments shared with loved ones, the joy of laughter, and the beauty of simple pleasures.
Bringing this story to life has been a joy for our entire team. The vibrant illustrations of Kelly Canby have guided our visual storytelling, helping us create a world that is both fantastical and relatable. We hope that “Timeless” inspires you to pause, reflect, and embrace the moments that truly matter and that our performance leaves you with a renewed appreciation for the simple, timeless treasures that fill our lives—love, laughter, and the precious gift of time.
Resource pack:
Included in the cost is our teacher resource pack, which includes activities for both before and after the show, enabling teachers to expand on the material presented in the show. This allows students to engage more thoroughly with the themes of the story over multiple lessons, deepening their understanding of the message.
Q&A:
After the performance we host a structured and informative Q&A session which supports the school’s delivery of the Critical and Creative Thinking curriculum. We discuss the themes raised in the show and support Inquiry Learning by discussing how we made the set, puppets, music, etc.
“Was great how it was run by you and not just the kids asking random questions. (10/10)”
– Bargara State School, Bargara QLD
Online option:
If it’s not possible for you to host a performance we have an online option.
How it works:
The professional recording is available for the whole week so you can watch it whenever, and however often, you like during that week. The link is sharable with individual classes or students so you can watch the show in the way that works best for you.
A pre-recorded Q&A is attached to the performance, along with a Teacher Resource Pack. The Q&A includes questions with the performers and the creative team and we’ll supply it as a separate link so you can refer to it whenever you want.
In-School pricing:
$7.50 (exc. GST) per student.
Please note there is a minimum fee of $862.50 (exc. GST) for up to 115 students
Online pricing:
Pricing is based on a fee of $85 inc. GST per class. This assumes there are approx. 25 students per class so if your school has smaller class sizes let us know and we’ll work out a price with you. When you enquire please indicate the number of students and the number of classes you wish to book for.