Canada’s largest and longest-running festival of words and ideas, returns to Harbourfront Centre September 21 to October 1, 2023.
This year’s Festival invites children and youth of all ages to TIFA Kids, with a vibrant programme the entire family can enjoy for free! From superheroes to graphic novels, whimsical adventures to spooky stories, in addition to arts & crafts, sing-alongs and baking, there are plenty of fun activities for the young and the young at heart.
TIFA will also present the North American premiere of All or Nothing Aerial Dance Theatre’s unique one-of-a-kind experience “The Swings,” a giant five-metre tall swing installation to unlock joyful childhood memories and spark imagination. Visiting all the way from the UK, The Swings will not only include scheduled aerial performances, but also an opportunity for guests to hop on and take part in a fun, interactive activity. The Swings will be fully accessible to accommodate guests of all sizes and needs.
TIFA Kids programme highlights include:
All ages.
Toronto, je t’aime / Toronto, I Love You with Lindsay Zier-Vogel
In Lindsay Zier-Vogel’s new book, Dear Street, Alice decides to write love letters to all the things that make her neighbourhood special.
Meet the author and learn about The Love Lettering Project, with a chance to write your own love letter to all the best bits of your neighbourhood; then, take it and hide the letter in your favourite spot for someone else to find. You just might help them find beauty in an unexpected place.
Ages 3 and up.
Destination Imagination with Jeremy and Jazzy
Beloved CBC Kids series Jeremy and Jazzy comes to life in a fun family sing-along performance!
With appearances from fan-favourite characters, kids can join Jeremy on a trip down the musical road to Creation Station where their imagination can run free. Full of whimsy and song, this family-friendly event is the perfect way to celebrate their first picture book, Turtle and Guy, inspired by songs from the series and told through stories, illustrations, songs and lots of laughter.
Ages 3 and up.
Bursting With Life: The Gift of Mnoomin with Brittany Luby
Author Brittany Luby will bring her book Mnoomin maan’gowing / The Gift of Mnoomin to life in an interactive storytelling and illustration session.
Written in Anishinaabemowin and English and beautifully illustrated by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley, this story shows how just one tiny seed can give the precious gift of life to everything from the fish in the water to the families harvesting seeds from their canoes. Little readers will take a journey of discovery, full of the wonders of nature and the joys of the circle of life.
Ages 4 and up.
Skipping Down Memory Lane with Carey Sookocheff
In The Remembering Stone, Alice loves to remember the time her grandpa showed her how to skip a stone. And even after Alice’s grandpa is gone, she knows that remembering those special moments will always keep his memory alive in her heart.
Illustrator and author Carey Sookocheff will share Alice’s story and demonstrate how to use paint and rocks to make your very own special remembering stone.
Ages 4 and up.
Carnival Queens & Dearest Dreams with Nadia L. Hohn & Irene Luxbacher
Best known as Malaika’s Surprise and Malaika’s Costume (TD Grade One Children’s Book Giveaway, 2021); now, Malaika is back with another joyful tale of love, family and celebration in Malaika, Carnival Queen!
Author Nadia L. Hohn will bring Malaika’s brand new story to life with her trademark interactive and energetic storytelling style. Joined by illustrator Irene Luxbacher to show how to make your own colourful Carnival crafts.
Ages 5 and up.
Peanut Butter Jelly Time with Sharon & Randi Hampson
In the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening, and underneath the moon, we love all things Skinnamarink! Original trio member Sharon Hampson (of Sharon, Lois & Bram) and her daughter Randi share their new book Peanut Butter and Jelly, and what better way to celebrate than with a family sing-along.
Joined by special guest, Elephant, for a nostalgic song and dance to introduce the next generation to a smorgasbord of songs and stories.
Ages 5 and up.
Crumpets & Cornbread & Challah, Oh My! with Cristina Quintero & Sarah Gonzalez
Come along as author Cristina Quintero and illustrator Sarah Gonzalez share tasty tales from their new book The Only Way to Make Bread and introduce the best baked goods from around the world.
From flatbreads to fluffy loaves, blossoming bakers will love this opportunity to tickle their taste buds and learn how to make their very own bread dough to bring home and bake!
Ages 5 and up.
Frosty Frozen Fun with Jean E. Pendziwol
Bundle up and strap on skates as author Jean E. Pendziwol journeys on a snow-covered chilly adventure through her new book Skating Wild on an Inland Sea.
Featuring breathtaking illustrations by Todd Stewart, young animal lovers and budding explorers will be enchanted by the wintery wonderland that comes to life in this frosty storytelling and crafting session.
Ages 6 and up.
Narwhal & Jelly’s Tricks and Treats with Ben Clanton
Unlikely best buds Narwhal and Jelly are ready for spooky season … even if Jelly would prefer to hunker down in a hidey-hole until fright night is over! Creator Ben Clanton has plenty of treats and tricks up his sleeve in the eighth installment of this blockbuster graphic novel series, A Super Scary Narwhalloween. Dress up as a favourite character and join for a boatload of deep-sea frights and delights.
Audiences will learn how to draw under-the-sea superfriends Narwhal and Jelly and prepare for the scariest night of the year.
Ages 8 and up.
Sticking It to the Bad Guys: A Hockey Super Six Extravaganza with Kevin Sylvester
The Hockey Super Six are back and ready to stick it to the bad guys once again. In their fifth action-packed adventure, In the Game, this supercrew of hockey superstars strap on their skates and face off against the evilest of evil-doers … in virtual reality!
Make sure to wear your helmets because creator Kevin Sylvester will have you falling out of your chairs with laughter. He’ll show his sketching skills, reveal his wildest ideas, and answer questions.
Ages 8 and up.
The BFFs Club with Maria Scrivan
In Maria Scrivan’s new graphic novel, Nat for Nothing, Natalie is struggling to find her footing when it comes to after-school activities. Nat can’t quite figure out where she fits in … until she makes a new friend who may help her crush her extracurricular crisis.
Whether a drama kid or a sports star, a bookworm or a bass player, readers will love this peek inside Nat’s world and a chance to learn how to create your very own comic strip.
Ages 10 and up.
Justice for All with Dr. Syrus Marcus Ware & Alannah Fricker
Guests can channel their inner activist and create their very own zine for change.
Join the creators of Abolition is Love Dr. Syrus Marcus Ware and Alannah Fricker for a zine-making workshop for all ages focused on ideas of social justice. Whether passionate about politics or enthusiastic about ecology, come with a cause and learn how you can spread a message of social justice in a crafty, colourful way.
Ages 10 and up.
Justice for All with Dr. Syrus Marcus Ware & Alannah Fricker
Guests can channel their inner activist and create their very own zine for change.
Join the creators of Abolition is Love Dr. Syrus Marcus Ware and Alannah Fricker for a zine-making workshop for all ages focused on ideas of social justice. Whether passionate about politics or enthusiastic about ecology, come with a cause and learn how you can spread a message of social justice in a crafty, colourful way.
The Storydrop
Drop in to a free activity space and stay as long as you like! With plenty of arts and crafts activities for all ages and a cosy, quiet reading nook, it’s the perfect place to take a break from the buzz. Open throughout the day on weekends.
Presented in partnership with The Children’s Book Bank of Toronto.
For more information, visit FestivalOfAuthors.ca.
