Saturday 26 September 2015

Telling Tales Another Big Success!





The 7th Annual Telling Tales Festival:
An Awesome Celebration of Literacy
Canada’s FREE children’s literary festival happened on Sunday, September 20th at Westfield Heritage Village in Rockton, Ontario – and it was AWESOME! 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.

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 Zimmermann offered 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.


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, 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.
There were so many fun family activities including costumed characters, a giant Book Swap and Shop, Bryan Prince Bookseller onsite book shop, children’s activity centre, contests and prizes. Plus, in the large meadow there were special birthday crafts to celebrate Hamilton Best Start’s 10th anniversary, an opportunity to try different musical instruments, and fun activities to get the kids moving with the YMCA.

To see a complete list of all the presenters and for more information, please visit the Telling Tales website at www.tellingtales.org.

 

Saturday 12 September 2015

Latest News From The Telling Tales Committee!



AWESOME COMES TO TELLING TALES

Experience stories in all forms and ignite your inspiration! Let your imagination soar at Canada’s FREE children’s literary festival on Sunday, September 20th, at Westfield Heritage Village in Rockton, Ontario. Join 30 of Canada’s best children’s authors, illustrators, storytellers, and musicians who promise to entertain and delight over 7,000 children and their families. This year’s festival features international bestselling author NEIL PASRICHA, who will launch his new children’s book, AWESOME IS EVERYWHERE, at the festival.

 SHEREE FITCH, Canada’s female Dr. Seuss, is a wonderful new addition to Telling Tales with well-known titles for our younger audience and tweens. Canada's bestselling Aboriginal author





DAVID BOUCHARD will share his passion for stories and Aboriginal culture. We’re also bringing back some fan favourites. Author and illustrator WERNER ZIMMERMANN returns with his fun interactive stories, and RICHARD SCRIMGER is a hilarious author with an incredible ability to catch the attention of teens and tweens.

"This is a special year for the Telling Tales Festival," explains Susan Jasper, Telling Tales Festival Chair & Founder. "NEIL PASRICHA is launching his new interactive picture book, and TVOKIDS' RANGER KARA will be kicking-off TVO’s Reading Rangers Book Club Tour with a special reading. Plus HAMILTON BEST START is celebrating 10 years in the local community with birthday party crafts and activities in the Large Meadow. September 20th is going to be an awesome day of celebration!"

Other attractions include live performances, book signings, readings, costumed characters, a giant Book Swap and Shop, Bryan Prince Bookseller onsite book shop, Children’s Activity Centre, contests and prizes – all in a beautiful historic village setting.

The 7th Annual Telling Tales Festival takes place on Sunday, September 20th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Westfield Heritage Village in Rockton, Ontario. Admission is free. There is free parking at the Rockton Fairgrounds and our free shuttle service will bring you right to the Festival. Please note: there is no parking at Westfield during the Festival. Visitors are welcome to bring their children in strollers and are reminded to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and umbrellas to join in the fun – rain or shine!



 

Friday 11 September 2015

Visitor Centre at Westfield


Westfield Looks to Future

 
 
Seeks Community Input

 Westfield Heritage Village is known for looking at the past, but is also very interested in the future.  The popular living history museum has been working with consultants to assess the future needs of the site and to consider the possibilities for the creation of a Visitor Centre.  This new facility would enhance the experience of its visitors, volunteers, school patrons and other members of the community.  If you are interested in finding out more, you are invited to attend a Visitor Centre Feasibility Study Open House on Monday, September 28, 2015 at 7:00 pm.  Westfield Heritage Village is located at 1049 Kirkwall Road, Rockton, just off Hwy. 8, midway between Dundas and Cambridge.  For more information, please call Westfield at (519) 621-8851. 

Saturday 5 September 2015

Telling Tales 2015

Readit! Readit! Readit!

 


Come to the Ironwood Café and enjoy some sweet treats - including sugar cookies.
Seventh Annual Telling Tales Festival will be taking place on Sunday, September 20, 2015 from 10:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Westfield Heritage Village. Experience more than 25 of Canada's leading children's writers, illustrators, musicians and storytellers. And- it's free admission. Visit www.tellingtales.org for all the details or follow along on facebook.com/tellingtalesfestival or twitter.com/tellingtalesffs