Janina Taylor
In a world where entertainment dominates, Monisha Sami – a criminologist, entrepreneur, and reigning Miss Millennium Universe International and Miss Millennium Universe Culture 2024, is blending education, entertainment, and social impact to launch StoryCloud.com.au – a groundbreaking storytelling platform designed to engage young minds in a meaningful way.
A Passion for Storytelling
For Monisha, storytelling has always been more than just entertainment. As a child, books were a constant source of comfort and curiosity. Many nights were spent reading under the covers well past bedtime, often earning her quiet scoldings for choosing stories over sleep.
That early love of books naturally evolved into a deeper interest in people and their behaviour. With a strong interest in applied sociology, Monisha saw an opportunity to use storytelling as a tool to positively influence children’s social development, values, and behaviour – bridging entertainment and education to make a broader, lasting impact.
“My goal is to create stories that don’t just entertain but also teach values – kindness, empathy, environmental stewardship, and problem-solving,” she explains. “Children absorb so much from the media they consume, and I want StoryCloud to be a positive force in shaping young minds.”
This mission inspired the creation of StoryCloud, an innovative platform that combines illustrated video content with interactive storytelling. Backed by childhood learning experts, StoryCloud isn’t just another kids’ entertainment platform – it’s a learning experience wrapped in adventure.
Photographer – Garry Chiu, @gcphotographyau | Dress – Priscilla Crossley, @tokyofoxtrot | HMUA – Mikayla McNamara, @kaylajmua_
A Crown with a Cause
Monisha is using her status to promote education, social cohesion, and the power of storytelling. Her titles represent more than just personal achievement – they symbolise a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and creating positive change.
“We believe storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have to shape the next generation,” she shares. “With StoryCloud, I want to bridge cultural understanding, encourage curiosity, and give children access to stories that help them navigate the world with kindness and confidence.”
Her dual pageant titles have provided her with a global platform to advocate for these values, allowing her to connect with communities, educators, and parents worldwide.
Behind the Scenes of StoryCloud:
Creating StoryCloud has been a journey filled with creativity, research and careful planning. Every story is designed with both fun and education in mind, ensuring that children enjoy the content, but also gain valuable life lessons.
One of the biggest challenges has been striking the right balance between entertainment and learning.
“Children won’t engage if something feels too much like schoolwork, but at the same time, we want every story to impart educational value,” Monisha explains. “We’ve spent a lot of time making sure that the storytelling is immersive first and educational second – so children absorb the lessons naturally while enjoying the adventure. “
Another challenge has been developing an engaging, visually appealing format that stands out in today’s saturated digital space. With a unique mix of animated illustrations and interactive elements, StoryCloud is designed to compete with the fast-paced world of children’s media while staying true to its educational mission.
The Magic of Storyland
At the heart of StoryCloud is Storyland, a whimsical world where animal and fantasy characters embark on exciting adventures, meet unique characters and explore different environments. Kai the Australian Shepherd serves as a guide, leading children through captivating narratives that explore topics like respect, curiosity, and basic life skills.
Unlike traditional children’s media, StoryCloud avoids human characters to prevent stereotypes and ensure universal relatability. Instead, each character – whether it’s Ollie the Octopus, Captain Finn the Fairy Penguin, or the friendly creatures of Burrowdale and Starlight City – brings unique cultural and educational elements into the stories.
One of the newest additions to Storyland is Cyber the Arctic Fox, a tech-savvy and resourceful fox who helps young readers explore technology, problem-solving, critical thinking, and the wonders of the Arctic. Cyber’s adventures teach children about resilience, teamwork, the importance of innovation, and staying safe in a rapidly changing world.
“We wanted to create a world that feels magical yet meaningful,” Monisha shares. “Every story is carefully crafted to entertain while subtly reinforcing important values and real-world lessons.”
Photographer – Garry Chiu, @gcphotographyau | Gown – Marguerite Foster, @affordableb | HMUA – Mikayla McNamara, @kaylajmua_
Bridging Education and Entertainment
StoryCloud covers essential safety topics like water and road safety, digital safety and kindness towards animals, ensuring children gain practical knowledge while enjoying their favourite characters’ adventures.
Monisha credits her incredible team and advisors for bringing the vision to life. The platform is supported by a diverse group of experts from high-profile organisations, including educational designers, technology and design partners, marketing and business strategists, illustrators, videographers, and educational advisors. This collaborative effort ensures that every aspect of StoryCloud is thoughtfully designed to captivate young minds.
A New Era of Children’s Storytelling is Coming
With a bold vision and a growing platform, Monisha is positioning StoryCloud as an emerging force in children’s digital edutainment. StoryCloud is exploring funding opportunities, collaborations, and gearing up for its launch party later this year, in the Nation’s Capital.
StoryCloud is already capturing attention, and with the upcoming platform launch, followed by the mobile app rollout, excitement is quickly building. Designed to be intuitive, immersive, and content-rich, the mobile app will offer families and educators a seamless way to journey through Storyland anytime, anywhere. As the collection of stories continues to grow, StoryCloud is working towards becoming a trusted resource for homes and classrooms across Australia.
Beyond the business, Monisha remains deeply committed to the social impact of her work. “At the end of the day, I want children to feel the same joy and sense of wonder that I did when I first discovered books,” she reflects. “If StoryCloud can inspire curiosity, kindness, and lifelong learning, then we’ve done something truly special.”
As StoryCloud prepares for its next phase, one thing is certain – this is just the beginning of a storytelling revolution.
To learn more about the StoryCloud platform, visit storycloud.com.au – or to get in touch with Monisha directly, email her at monisha@storycloud.com.au.
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