GO FAMILY FUN
Telling Tales festival
Get ready for a full day of children’s authors storytellers, illustrators and musicians this weekend
IT’S TIME to gather around, listen to stories, and tell tales. The ninth annual Telling Tales festival is being held on Sunday, Sept. 17 at Westfield Heritage Village. Named one of Ontario’s top 100 festivals and events every year since 2012, the festival highlights children’s authors, illustrators, storytellers and musicians. Dozens of presenters from Hamilton and beyond will gather for the daylong family celebration of books and reading. The Spectator has whittled down the list to highlight some local authors and festival headliners.
LOCAL AUTHORS TO WATCH
Joanne Levy
Hamiltonian Joanne Levy, the author of young adult novels “Small Medium at Large” and “Crushing It,” uses humour to reach out to tween readers. Her presentation will offer tips to young readers about how to write funny stories of their own, and will also include a short reading.
Tween Zone (Lockhart Meadow), 11 a.m. For ages 8 to 12
Nicola Winstanley
Children’s author Nicola Winstanley, who is based in Hamilton and teaches writing at Humber College, is launching her new book “A Bedtime Yarn.” Her presentation will include a reading from her new book as well as a chance for young readers to create a blanket mural of their own.
Cathcart Schoolhouse, 11:30 a.m. For ages birth to 8 years
Melanie J. Fishbane
Although Fishbane is a Torontonian, her new book “Maud” is the 2017 winner of the Hamilton Public Library’s Hamilton’s Next Top Novel. Her first book, “Maud,” is a young adult historical fiction novel imagining the life of a 14-year-old Lucy Maud Montgomery. Teen Zone (Summer Stage), 12 p.m. For ages 12 and up
FESTIVAL HEADLINERS Emma Donoghue
Donoghue is best known for her novels for adults — particularly “Room,” which was shortlisted for both the Man Booker and Orange prizes. “The Lotterys Plus One,” her first book for young readers, follows a family headed up by a lesbian couple and a gay couple who joined forces to create a family, then won a lottery jackpot and moved into a Victorian Gothic mansion in Toronto.
Tween Zone (Lockhart Meadow), 12:30 p.m. Bandstand, 2:15 p.m. Ages 8 to 12
Itah Sadu
Sadu is an award-winning storyteller and children’s author who shares traditional African and Caribbean stories. She is also co-owner of a popular Toronto bookstore, A Different Booklist. Her books include “How The Coconut Got Its Face,” “Christopher Please Clean Up Your Room,” as well as her latest title, “Greetings, Leroy.” Music Stage, 11:15 a.m. Bandstand, 1:30 p.m. For ages 4 to 7
Kevin Sylvester
Parents may recognize Kevin Sylvester’s voice from CBC Radio, where he has worked as a broadcaster. He writes and illustrates everything from murder mysteries and science fiction, to books on sports and financial literacy. His latest book, MiNRS2, is a sequel to the gritty scifi adventure MiNRS. Bandstand, 12:30 p.m. Tween Zone (Lockhart Meadow), 2:45 p.m. For all ages
THE NINTH ANNUAL TELLING TALES FESTIVAL
WHERE Westfield Heritage Village, RR 552, Rockton WHEN 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gates open at 9:30 a.m. ADMISSION Free. PARKING General Visitor Parking will be at the Rockton Fairgrounds. There is no general parking at the Westfield site. A free shuttle bus will travel back and forth from the Fairgrounds to Westfield on a regular basis. TRANSIT A free bus pickup is available at the following locations: the Beasley Community Centre, The CATCH Centre, The Westmount Community Centre, The St. Helen’s Community Centre. Buses depart at 9:30 a.m. sharp and go to Rockton Fairgrounds where guests take a 5 minute shuttle to Westfield. Buses will leave from the Rockton Fairgrounds parking lot at 3 p.m. sharp. MORE INFORMATION Find the full schedule online: www.tellingtales.org