This September, Telling Tales returns to a live and in-person festival with 2 fun-filled days of programming, 5 stages featuring your favourite authors, illustrators, and storytellers, and over 40 presenters representing the best in Canadian children’s literature and arts!
After two years of staying home and experiencing stories virtually, we are excited to present an event that will allow festival goers to Open a Book, Open a World. Telling Tales is excited to launch its 2022–23 season to bring these stories to you in a new hybrid format.
We are thrilled to announce the new home for the Telling Tales Festival is Hendrie Park at Royal Botanical Gardens. Enjoying stories in a beautiful natural setting has long been a part of the Telling Tales’ vision for promoting healthy family experiences, and creating meaningful connections with nature and literature.
“We can’t wait to see everyone again and connect in person,” says Susan Jasper, Telling Tales Executive Director. “What could be better than celebrating stories, nature and art together in an enchanting rose garden?”
The season launches June 15 with Celebrating Graphic Novels. This event features two of Canada’s favourite graphic novelists,Johnnie Christmas and Mélanie Watt who will be joined by host Kevin Sylvester for a live and interactive virtual presentation.
The momentum continues with the Telling Tales Festival on September 24 & 25, headlined by Hamilton’s own international bestselling author and Governor General’s award winner, Lawrence Hill. Hill will be presenting his first ever novel for young people, Beatrice and Croc Harry.
The festival boasts 5 stages with programming for everyone from tots to teens.
Young readers will love Aimee Reid, Burlington Public Library Storytellers, Yolanda T. Marshall, Andrew Larsen, Andy G and Friends, Jael Richardson, Ruth Ohi, Nadia L. Hohn, Heather M. O’Connor, Erin Alladin, Lexy the Rap Dad, My Friend Christopher, Jon-Erik Lappano, Chad Solomon and Mireille Messier.
Middle School children can enjoy Lawrence Hill, Danielle Daniel, Kevin Sylvester, Hamilton Children’s Choir, Hamilton You Poets, Treasa Levasseur, Zetta Elliott, Megan Kearney, and Burlington Student Theatre.
Teens have a chance to get hands-on experiences with Salma Hussain, Sarena and Sasha Nanua.
The Nature Tales zone, located near Aquagraphie Variation 2, will feature a variety of nature-themed presentations and activities, including author readings, science activities, and storytellers. Activities are designed to introduce visitors to the many thought-provoking pieces that comprise the Dan Lawrie International Sculpture Collection at Hendrie Park.
The season continues from October 2022 to March 2023, with Imagination Station, a series of livestreamed and pre-recorded presentations. Teachers across Canada can register their classrooms for interactive presentations from: Darcy Whitecrow, Kevin Sands, Jing Jing Tsong & Aimee Reid, Jodie Callaghan, Valerie Sherrard and Wesley King. Susan Aglukark and Charlene Chua will round out the season with lively pre-recorded performances premiering in early 2023.
Visit Tellingtales.org to view the full program lineup. Registration is now open for Celebrating Graphic Novels. Registration for all other events is now open.
Visit the Telling Tales website to see the 2022–23 Reading List and get a head start on your festival reading.
