09 Aug 2011
The annual Auckland Storylines Free Family Day is spreading its wings across two venues this year, its 18th in the city. Activities will be taking place both at the Aotea Centre and the Auckland Museum on Sunday 28 August from 10am-3pm.
With a focus on the very best in New Zealand writing and book illustration for children, this free day, geared for kids aged 4-12 and their families, has a line-up of guests, performances and activities to entertain throughout the day.
In association with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Storylines is presenting the world premiere performances of Jellybean, a children's 'play for orchestra and three actors' by Tessa Duder, adapted from her classic book of the same name. Two free performances are being given at the ASB Theatre at The Edge.
Earlier in the day at the Civic Wintergarten, Tim Bray Productions will also present live theatre performances based on Margaret Mahy's A Lion in the Meadow and other stories.
All day, at both the Aotea Centre and the Museum, families can meet more than 30 authors, illustrators, storytellers and performers from all over New Zealand, offering a huge range of activities, from read-alouds and book talks to creating comic books, book marks or book illustrations.
At the Museum a large Factopia non-fiction area will cater for children of all ages who are interested in the way books tell real stories about ourselves and the world around us.
Other feature events include the prize-giving for the Puffin Short Story Writing competition, which has attracted entries from school years 4-11, book launches, competitions, science, nature and craft activities, artists at work and book signing sessions.
The 2011 Storylines Family Day promises to be a real celebration of New Zealand children's books of all kinds and an opportunity to share with others the joy and magic of books and stories.
This year, in conjunction with the 17th anniversary of Duffy Books in Homes, free buses will bring children from participating Duffy schools into central Auckland to enjoy the day.
The Storylines Festival of New Zealand Children's Writers and Illustrators aims to involve as many young people as possible in reading and enjoying books by New Zealand writers and illustrators. In addition to the free Family Day. Events are being held in Northland, Wellington, Christchurch and this year for the first time, Dunedin.
Other events of the week-long festival include:
- the four-day Auckland Storytour, in the week before Family Day, by writers and illustrators visiting schools and early childhood centres around the Auckland region.
- the Northland Storytour on 27 August
- workshops for children in writing and illustration at Auckland Museum on Saturday 27 August featuring Jennifer Beck and Anna Mackenzie (writing), and Ross Kinnaird and Stu Duval (illustration). All workshops are only $15 per child - but places are limited.
- a seminar for adults and children in the Heritage Hotels Seminar Series with visiting Australian author Chris Morphew at King's School, Remuera on Thursday 25 August.
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