Award-winning graphic novelists, a comic-book artist and an illustrator who creates art inspired by her dreams are only part of the lineup at the Vancouver Island Children’s Book Festival this year.
“It’s an incredible event,” said Michele Hillier, executive director of Literacy Central Vancouver Island. “It really is one of the best children’s book festivals across Canada.”
The festival will take place at Diana Krall Plaza in Nanaimo on Saturday, May 12. The event was started 32 years ago by Thora Howell and her husband, Jerry, owners of The Book Store on Bastion Street.
“They won awards for having the best children’s book store in all of Canada in the 1980s and 1990s,” Hillier said. “I worked there for about eight years. They had a fabulous children’s book selection.”
The festival, run completely by volunteers, has attracted the likes of Robert Munsch, Dennis Lee, Julie Flett and Marie-Louise Gay.
This year, 11 authors and illustrators will tell their stories and create drawings for children ages five to 12. Every year, Hillier tries to bring First Nations authors and illustrators as role models and mentors for First Nations children in the community.
“A lot of young people are drawing and doing a little bit of writing. We want the kids to know there are great authors and illustrators out there who are First Nations so they know they can do stuff themselves,” she said. “It’s really important.”
Comic-book artist Faith Erin Hicks will talk about how she got her start and give pointers on how children can write and draw their own stories.
“She’s very popular with kids,” Hillier said. “I’m really into [comic books] myself because comics promote literacy.”
Barbara Reid will talk about her new book, Picture the Sky, and discuss tips and techniques for Plasticine art. “It’s incredible — a work of art,” Hillier said.
Quebec author Isabelle Arsenault will talk about her book Colette’s Lost Pet, then teach children a little bit about drawing.
Kelowna illustrator Cale Atkinson will talk about how he became an artist and author, and will read from his latest picture book.
Vancouver Island illustrator Darlene Gait creates art inspired by her dreams — dream paintings. She will discuss her work as “healing art.” Her paintings and poetry celebrate her love for her Coast Salish culture.
Author and illustrator Kim Soo Goodtrack from the Lakota Woodmountain reserve in Saskatchewan will share a Lakota traditional teaching while she draws.
Qin Leng will draw a self-portrait to introduce herself as an illustrator, read from her book and do a few more drawings. She is from Shanghai, China, and moved to France, then Montreal before settling in Toronto.
Salt Spring Island author Margriet Ruurs will take a look at how writers get their ideas for stories. She will also talk about how to make a difference in the world by helping refugees.
Children and teen author Robin Stevenson will talk about non-fiction and share the story of how Pride Day began.
“It’s our only non-fiction author this year. It’s a fabulous book,” Hillier said.
Award-winning graphic novelists Scott Henderson and David Robertson will engage in a round table discussion with teen writers, 10:15 a.m. Saturday at the Conference Centre’s Piper Lagoon Lobby. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., they will be working on an art installation with about 20 teens at the Art Lab at the Nanaimo Art Gallery.
During their time in Nanaimo, Henderson and Robertson will also work with First Nation teenagers and adults at different learning centres and visit an inmate book club at the Nanaimo Correctional Centre.
Lunchtime festival activities will include face-painting, bubble blowing, chalk art and musical performances.
At the end of the day, there will be a book signing where children can meet the artists and authors.
Individual tickets are $10 for three sessions per child. Adults are free, and a family pass is $25. Tickets are available online via bookfest.ca or at the event.
• For more information about the Vancouver Island Children’s Book Festival, go to bookfest.ca
