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 2024, we piloted our Inclusive Tales programming in partnership with the Hamilton Public Library. This drop-in reading and activity hour featured Telling Tales Festival authors, illustrators, and books, and catered to children and youth who learn best by moving, touching, and playing through multi-sensory activities designed by a registered Occupational Therapist. Learn more about this inclusive and accessible event. 

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 June 6 and 7, 2025.

Celebrating Graphic Novels

Next up, on June 10, 11, and 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. This series is offered on demand for one week following the festival. To sign up now, register here.

Telling Tales Festival

Our biggest celebration of the year is our 17th annual Telling Tales Festival, FREE at Royal Botanical Gardens’ Hendrie Park! Watch for a full schedule in August that will feature more than 70+ 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.

WATCH PRESENTATIONS ON DEMAND
Forest of Reading ad. Come to the 2025 Forest of Reading Festival. Join Canada's largest recreational reading program!

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