As a children’s author, I have had the pleasure of sharing my picture books at some of the best children’s literary festivals in Canada including Ontario’s Eden Mills Writer’s Festival and Telling Tales, New Brunswick’s Frye Festival, Saskatchewan’s Festival of Words, and most recently, Nova Scotia’s Read by the Sea.
Literary Festivals are magical in that they bring children and storytellers together. Summertime is reading-for-leisure time. It’s a glorious opportunity to take the academics, and what can be seen as the chore, out of reading for kids. A day at a literary festival can inspire your child to spend their summer enjoying books.
Instills the importance of reading
When your child sees you choose to read, you are instilling value in reading. Imagine the effect if your child sees you carve out time in your family’s busy schedule to spend time at a literary festival. Your child will understand the importance of books and, at the same time…
Be inspired!
They will be so blown away by the magic of books, as the book’s creators are right in front of them, performing, reading, illustrating and talking about their stories!
Allows your child to sample lots of story styles- no purchase required!
Children’s literary festivals often feature creators from various genres. They can sample funny, scary or dramatic stories. They can peruse through graphic novels, check out some new non-fiction, pick up a long-time favourite picture book, and try their hand at a new middle grade. A literary festival is like bringing a library to life, with the creators there to give insight, backstory and inspiration. Make a list of what you like and visit your local library to spend more time with the stories that catch your child’s eye.
Personalizes the Story Experience
A child can be more connected to, and more committed to reading a book that the creator has introduced to them. And if you do choose to purchase a book, be sure to have the creator sign it! A personalized book that is placed in the child’s hands, provides for a pretty cool moment!
Kid Friendly Fun
Most children’s literary festivals also incorporate lots of fun extras, like music, performances, stickers, activity sheets, and places to picnic. And many festivals have free admission!
So much fun to be had! So, be the hero in your child’s literacy story, and bring them to a literary festival this summer!
And hey, I’ll be doing a Telling Tales story time at The Art Gallery of Hamilton at 2 pm on August 2, 2023! So, why don’t you pack up the kids and meet me there!
Children's Author/ Speaker, Lana Button 