The Telling Tales Festival returns to the Hamilton-Burlington area this weekend for its 17th edition, aiming to attract its largest crowd yet of 16,000 attendees on October 4 and 5 at the Royal Botanical Gardens, according to Executive Director Heather Kanabe. Being touted as Canada’s largest children’s literary festival, the event, which drew around 12,000 participants in 2024, features authors from across Canada and beyond, all accessible to the public free of charge.
Heather Kanabe stated that Telling Tales is distinct from other literary events with children’s components in Canada, offering a unique experience nationwide. Notable figures headlining this year’s festival include Inuk throat singer and author Tanya Tagaq, performing on Saturday, and illustrator Matthew Forsythe, known for his work on the Adventure Time series, unveiling his book “Aggie and the Ghost” on Sunday.
A new feature this year is the inclusion of American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters at every stage throughout the two-day festival. In a collaboration with Silent Voice, an organization supporting deaf and hard of hearing families, the 2024 edition saw some festival activities interpreted for attendees within the Deaf community, facilitating a connection with Canadian authors and illustrators, as per Kanabe.
Additionally, ASL storyteller Adam Pottle will be interpreting his book “Butterfly on the Wind” on the main stage on Saturday, providing attendees with the opportunity to learn key signs and actively participate in the performance through signing, as outlined on the Telling Tales website.
The festival’s focus this year extends to enhancing its offerings for older kids and young adults, with five main tents catering to different age groups, including those aged 13 and above. Kanabe emphasized the importance of creating a space for young adults who have grown up attending the festival, ensuring their needs and interests are met.
Telling Tales aims to be inclusive, accommodating families and children with sensory sensitivities by working closely with occupational therapists and accessibility consultants to provide a sensory-safe environment. To enhance the experience, new attractions such as bouncy castles and a nature literacy walk have been added this year.
The festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday at the Royal Botanical Gardens’ Hendrie Park in Burlington, Ontario, offering something for everyone, from families to young adults seeking a unique and engaging literary experience.
