10 Years OF Telling Tales
Popular literary festival brings authors, performers and readers together for a day of fun
HAMILTON’S
PREMIER children’s literary festival is back for its 10th year of reading, music, storytelling and learning.
This year’s Telling Tales festival, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 16, promises an action-packed day of celebrations including local authors, musicians and educators.
The lineup includes more than 30 presenters, including iconic Canadian poet Dennis Lee; Steve Newberry, the author of “Semicolons, Cupcakes and Cucumbers” and the popular YouTube channel Scratch Garden; and Manhattan-based author Sarah Mlynowski, who promises to enchant tweens with fairy tale fun from her latest book in the New York Times bestselling “Whatever After” series.
Several authors are also using the festival as an opportunity to debut their new works. Here are six titles being launched at the Festival:
Call of the Wraith BY KEVIN SANDS
Adventure, suspense, puzzles and secrets await in “Call of the Wraith,” the fourth book in the bestselling “Blackthorn Key” series by Kevin Sands. When the novel opens, protagonist Christopher Rowe has no idea who he is. After being shipwrecked in Devonshire, he wakes up alone, his memories gone. Villagers tell him he was possessed by an unseen evil, and only became conscious after being visited by the local witch.
As Christopher tries to get his bearings, he realizes his current state may be far from coincidence. As motives and secrets are revealed, Christopher finds himself in a desperate race to reclaim his memories and solve the mysterious disappearances of village children before it’s too late.
Canada Animals BY PAUL COVELLO
Come learn about some of Canada’s best-loved and most iconic creatures with Paul Covello as he launches his latest picture book “Canada Animals.” This board book series features illustrations for the very young, highlighting some of Canada’s most beloved and iconic creatures.
Elephant Secret BY ERIC WALTERS
Sam lives at the elephant sanctuary her dad runs and views the elephants there as much a part of her family as her single dad is. When a beloved elephant dies in childbirth, Sam develops a special connection with the baby, named Woolly because she has an unusual amount of hair.
It soon becomes apparent that Woolly is different. Woolly’s mother was part of a special breeding project, and Woolly’s DNA is not elephant but that of a rare specimen — a woolly mammoth — procured by the eccentric billionaire genius who runs the program. He will stop at nothing to protect Woolly, and his multimilliondollar investment, even it means turning Sam and her dad’s worlds upside down.
Inkling BY KENNETH OPPEL
The Rylance family is stuck. Dad’s got writer’s block. Ethan promised to illustrate a group project at school — even though he can’t draw. Sarah’s still pining for a puppy. And they all miss Mom. So much more than they can say.
“Inkling” begins life in Mr. Rylance’s sketchbook. But one night the ink of his drawings runs together — and then leaps off the page! This small burst of creativity is about to change everything.
The Almost Epic Squad: Mucus Mayhem BY KEVIN SYLVESTER
The “Almost Epic Squad: Mucus Mayhem” is the first book in a hilarious multi-author action-adventure, almost-superhero series by broadcaster and writer Kevin Sylvester. Protagonist Jessica Flem has spent the better part of her life allergic to everything — and much of it in her basement where she rules the online game “Gang of Greats.” She’s used to a nose that never stops running, but is not prepared for the mysterious power that shows up around her 13th birthday: the ability to transform her snot-filled tissues into slimy, magical helpers.
Upside-Down Magic: Weather or Not BY SARAH MLYNOWSKI
When Willa’s Upside-Down Magic rains, it pours. Clouds form under ceilings. Classrooms get flooded. Nory and the kids in Ms. Star’s Upside-Down Magic class always have umbrellas nearby, just in case. Willa hates being the source of such sogginess.
And yet the more she rains, the worse she feels ... and the worse she feels, the more she rains. All the storminess is threatening to flood the Upside-Down Magic friendships. Can they use their magic to make the storm clouds disappear?