I never knew a story could have so much impact on me. –
Seventh grader, Bell School, Chicago

When I told my mom the story about the crane, she had watery eyes.
If you could have told it instead of me, she would have used a whole box of tissue.
– Seventh grader, Bell School, Chicago

Thank you so much for visiting our classroom last week to tell us stories. We loved your stories…They made me feel like actually paying attention. – Fourth grader, Braeside School, IL

Your stories make me relax and forget all my problems. – Fourth grader, Braeside School, IL

I want to thank you so very much for coming to Bell School to tell stories to my seventh and eighth grade students. It was clear that my students were mesmerized by your performance. Even with sixty students crowded into that hot classroom, from the moment you began each story, every eye was riveted on you, and the only sound was the sound of your voice. – Suzanne Saposnik, teacher, Bell School, Chicago

Our students and teachers were mesmerized during the two different presentations Anne did for my middle school.  She was easy to work with, very kid friendly and understanding of the middle school audience, and she had the flexibility to cheerfully accommodate...and adhere to... our time slots.   The Hidden Memory presentation to seventh and eighth graders was powerful...you could hear a pin drop, and it sparked great questions from the students afterwards.  The World Folktales session for sixth grade - devoid of all technology and visuals -  was most enjoyable, and a rare treat for kids who are normally so connected to their 1:1 devices.  I would book Anne again in a heartbeat! - Barb Perley, Learning Center Director, Field Middle School, Northbrook, IL

Your storytelling expertise made ancient wisdom both relevant and valuable to today’s high tech children. – Suzanne Greenwald, Elm Place Middle School, IL

Thank you for …the beautiful cloth that now reigns over my desk reminding me of the fierce gentleness of your performance and presence…It was a true example of genuine storytelling. As a young storyteller I loved the tale of the Crane Maiden. I have not heard it for many years. Your telling was stellar. - Laura Simms, storyteller and Artistic Director of the Hans Christian Andersen Storytelling Program in Central Park,

We all admire your beautifully polished stories. Your professionalism made us shine. – Helen Fink, A Tale for Two Cities Storytelling Festival

As you who know her work have witnessed, Anne is the Maserati of storytelling: sleek, no fat, smooth, takes you there without seeming effort, lots of power, elegant. – Jeff Gere, Director, Talk Story Storytelling Festival

Your name is frequently mentioned by people as a highlight of the festival. You are as wonderful at telling to seniors as to children – a rare combination.  – Mary Morgan Smith, Director, Three Rivers Storytelling Festival

Thank you for being absolutely amazing at the storytelling at the Prairie Center. Both of your stories rocked me heart and soul. What a gift you gave to me and everyone who listened. Many, many thanks. – Lucinda Flodin, Director, Storytelling at the Prairie Center

One of the most compelling storytellers to be heard anywhere, Anne Shimojima is mesmerizing! Like a gifted sculptor, Anne has a talent for cutting away all that is extraneous, leaving only the essential story in all its glistening beauty behind. – Rives Collins, McCormick Professor of Teaching Excellence, Dept. of Theatre, Northwestern University

Anne is considered a “storyteller’s storyteller” by her colleagues in the Chicago storytelling community, for her simple, elegant style – always allowing the story to pass through her as a beautiful musical instrument creates the melody without distraction. – Jim May, author and storyteller

Your story for the Sunday morning finale was beautiful. As I watched the audience, I could tell that you had captured them and then you took them safely back in time to be in the moment of the story with you. That’s magic! – Linda Gorham, storyteller

Who would have thought that members of the video generation could sit and listen so attentively? (Of course, it helps when the person you’re listening to is as gifted as you are.) – Jean Fujiu, Executive Director, Japanese American Service Committee

You have a great gift. – Betsy Hearne, Associate Professor, University of Illinois

Your delivery was masterful! - Paul Lusson, English teacher, Highland Park High School

Review from Nuvo - Indy's Alternative Voice

"Self-described "folktale lady" Anne Shimojima takes a special pleasure in collecting and telling folktales, largely from Asia.  Tales from East and West includes stories from Japan and India—some comic, some instructive, some simply moving. Whatever the content or mood, her years of experience show:  she delivered her stories with a steady confidence and a great sense of timing. Ms. Shimojima recounted several brief legends about Judge Ōoka, an actual 18th century Japanese magistrate.  His imaginative solutions to difficult cases, such as "The Case of the Stolen Smell," are entertaining, and worth looking up if you haven't heard them. There was no unifying theme for the evening.  But, as if to underscore the timelessness of the tales, Ms. Shimojima ended with two stories that helped her through a divorce and to the discovery of new love.  In the words of the woman sitting behind me, "That was delightful."