As Canada’s leading children’s literary festival since 2009 and a registered charity, we put homegrown Canadian authors, illustrators, and storytellers at centre stage.

School Programming

Our season begins in the spring with virtual educational programs accessible for students and educators from across the country. We provide a platform for authors to share their stories with classrooms throughout the Hamilton District School Board and Hamilton Catholic District School Board. We also create free student events like Storyscapes and CGN that have registration open to all! Learn more here, register, and get involved!

Inclusive Tales

In April and May, we pilot our Inclusive Tales programming in partnership with the Hamilton Public Library. This drop-in reading and activity hour features Telling Tales Festival authors, illustrators, and books, and caters to children and youth who learn best by moving, touching, and playing through multi-sensory activities designed by a registered Occupational Therapist. Register here for this inclusive and accessible event, or learn more. 

Imagine in the Park

In June, we join our friends at Imagine in the Park for a day of fun with some of our favourite children’s picture book authors. Look for the bandshell and you’ll find The Telling Tales performance tent. We’ve invited along a few of Canada’s best-loved picture book authors, who will entertain our youngest audience members with readings from their latest stories. Join us there on May 31st and June 1st!

Celebrating Graphic Novels

Next up, on June 12 we continue to offer virtual programming with an all-star lineup of presenters sharing their stories and engaging audiences both near and far. Celebrating Graphics Novels will feature virtual interactive presentations hosted by Kevin Sylvester.

Telling Tales Festival

Our biggest celebration of the year is our 16th Annual Telling Tales Festival, FREE at Royal Botanical Gardens’ Hendrie Park! Watch for a full schedule in August that will feature more than 60+ presentations by an award-winning, diverse lineup, whose unique backgrounds and experiences reflect those of our audience. 

Find out more about our programming here, or sign up to volunteer or exhibit with us.

Our mission is to connect kids with the magic of storytelling. 

Stories change lives, and great tales never grow old.

A child illustration image with books, a fox, frog, and person dressed as a willow. The image celebrates the Telling Tales Festival 2024. The Telling Tales Festival is at the Hendrie Park Royal Botanical Gardens.
WATCH PRESENTATIONS ON DEMAND
A graphic image has the Forest of Reading Festival Logo. The text on the graphic describes Canada's largest literacy event for young readers! Authors & illustrators workshops + autographing! 30+ Nominees in attendance! Free prizes, book & exciting activities!
In this photo Telling Tales promotes Sweet family read alouds by Scholastic for ages 4+. Telling Tales connects families to books you can read aloud by Canadian authors.
In this photo Telling Tales promotes graphic novels for ages 10+. Telling Tales connects families graphic novels by Canadian authors for ages 10+.

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