Hamilton News
Posted by Anne Bermingham
7th Annual Telling Tales Festival: An Awesome Celebration of Literacy
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Canada’s FREE children’s literary festival happened on Sunday, September 20th at Westfield Heritage Village in Rockton, Ontario – and it was AWESOME! Author Neil Pasricha launched his new children’s book Awesome is Everywhere at the 7th Annual Telling Tales Festival! Here he is taking questions from kids in the crowd.
A crowd of over 7,000 children and their families were entertained by over 25 of Canada’s best children’s authors, illustrators, storytellers and musicians. This event is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Hamilton. Over 20 Rotary clubs from two districts help promote, gather used books and volunteer to make the Festival happen!
At this year’s festival, The Book of Awesome author Neil Pasricha launched his brand new children’s book Awesome is Everywhere to the world during the Telling Tales Festival. In fact, only those attending had a chance to buy an advance copy before it hits bookshelves next week!
David Bouchard shared stories about his Metis culture and treated the crowd to his flute playing. Poet Sheree Fitch mesmerized the crowds with her tongue twisting rhymes. Werner Zimmermannoffered illustration lessons to fans young and old. Richard Scrimger shared writing tips and advice to fans. TVOKids’ Ranger Kara kicked off the Reading Rangers Book Club Tour with a special reading. It was an exciting day of sharing and experiencing stories.
Aboriginal author David Bouchard shared his passion for stories and Aboriginal culture, and played his Native flutes.
The Telling Tales Festival is really a celebration of literacy. “Our goal is to foster a love of reading by exposing kids to authors and illustrators,” explains Susan Jasper, Rotarian, Telling Tales Founder and Chair. “The presenters on our stages are literary stars – kids have a chance to ask them questions, listen to advice and even get their autographs.”
This year’s theme was “Let your imagination soar”. During the Telling Tales Festival books and stories jump off the page; you can travel into a story, meet characters and even step back in time. It’s all about creating fond memories around storytelling – whether it’s a story told in a book, through pictures, in music, or through movement.
The Telling Tales Festival is a day where kids can talk to authors, get drawing tips from illustrators, and sing and dance along with musicians. It’s also a fun family day to simply play and explore. It is an event to which all Rotarians should be proud!!
MORE HAMILTON NEWS: Rotary After Dark - alternative meeting
Paul Harris created Rotary with the hope that people from different vocations would meet and connect. Sometimes are formal meetings are too busy to get to network and get to know other Rotarians. It is for this reason that the Rotary Club of Hamilton has a “Rotary After Dark” on the second Thursday of every month. Rotarians from ALL CLUBS are welcome. There is no speaker. There is no formal meeting. There are no anthems, toasts or even announcements. It is just a chance to talk.
Please come and check it out - gatherings are at the Hamilton Club at Main Street (and James Street) in Hamilton Ontario from 5-6:30 pm the second Thursday of each month. This meeting is in lieu of the regular noon day meeting normally held on the second Thursday.