TIFA Kids Events You Won’t Want to Miss!

TIFA Kids Events You Won’t Want to Miss!

9:01pm

Thursday, March 28, 2024

TIFA Kids is back at the Toronto International Festival of Authors! This year’s programme is bigger, better and includes adventures for the whole family to enjoy. From October 21 to 31, join us for a daily dose of new adventure, including riveting readings, colourful draw-alongs, quizzical Q&As and more!

With so many events to choose from, this handy guide will help you navigate the programme by age group, to make the most of your TIFA Kids experience and find adventure suited to each family member’s reading levels. From sorry potatoes to frightening monsters, delve into 11 days of adventure, with these ten can’t-miss kids events:


Ages 3 and up:

I'm Sorry book coverSorry is the Hardest Word of All with Debbie Ridpath Ohi

Friday, October 29 at 1pm ET

Flamingo is upset. Very upset. Potato is sorry. Very sorry. In fact, he is the sorriest. But how does he tell Flamingo? Join Debbie Ridpath Ohi to learn how Flamingo and Potato mend their friendship in a fun draw-along, and then share your artwork with us online, using the hashtag #TIFAKids!

Ages 4 and up:

Malaika's Costume book coverMalaika’s Costume with Nadia L. Hohn & Irene Luxbacher

Thursday, October 28 at 1:30pm ET

Will Malaika have a costume in time for Carnival? Join author Nadia L. Hohn and illustrator Irene Luxbacher to learn more about Malaika’s adventures and the celebration of Carnival. Follow along and design your own Carnival costumes, then get ready to join grade one students from across Canada for a colourful dance party that celebrates family, community and the Caribbean diaspora!

Scaredy Squirrel in a Nutshell book coverHalloween with Scaredy Squirrel & Mélanie Watt

Sunday, October 31 at 2pm ET

Celebrate Halloween with Scaredy Squirrel’s safety guide for scaredys, from everyone’s favourite worrywart. Mélanie Watt, creator of Scaredy Squirrel, will help you survive the spooks by giving you the scoop on Scaredy’s ideas, strategies and plans for Halloween. Don’t forget to grab your pencils to do some planning of your own!

Ages 5 and up:

Pizazz Vs. The New Kid book coverThe World of Upside Down, Inside Out Superheroes with Sophy Henn

Saturday, October 23 at 11:30am ET

Have you ever wondered what it was like to be a superhero? Join award-winning picture book author and illustrator Sophy Henn to hear all about superkid Pizazz, her rivalry with the new superkid in town, and their mission to save the world…together. Then get your paper and pencil ready for a very super draw-along! Mask and cape optional.

Ages 6 and up:

Thunder and the Noise Storm book coverWhen the World is Too Loud – with Jeffrey & Shezza Ansloos

Monday, October 25 at 1pm ET

When the world gets too loud and chaotic, a young boy’s Mosom (grandfather) helps him listen with wonder, in Thunder and the Noise Storms by Jeffrey Ansloos and Shezza Ansloos, illustrated by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley. Join all three to hear how this picture book blends neurodiversity with Indigenous worldview to offer strategies to manage sensory overload, then see how Joshua created the book’s stunning illustrations.

Ages 8 and up:

Miles Morales: Shock Waves book coverTingling Spidey Sense Tales with Miles Morales: Shockwaves with Justin A. Reynolds & Pablo Leon

Saturday, October 30 at 3pm ET

Calling all Marvel readers and enthusiasts: Spider-Man is making an appearance at this year’s Festival! Get ready to swing into the action with Miles Morales, an average Brooklyn school kid by day and a web-shooting superhero by night. Join bestselling author Justin A. Reynolds and award-nominated artist Pablo Leon as they reveal their latest comic book creation, Miles Morales: Shockwaves, and explore how stories are being created for a new generation of Marvel readers.

Ages 10 and up:

Kaleidoscope book coverKaleidoscope with Brian Selznick

Saturday, October 30 at 1pm ET

TIFA Kids is super hyped to welcome genre-defying storyteller Brian Selznick to present his latest novel, Kaleidoscope. Joined by award-winning young-adult author David Levithan, together they’ll discuss how Kaleidoscope plays with words, pictures, concepts of storytelling, time and identity. Plus there is a live audience Q&A!

Ages 11 and up:

Friends Forever book coverFriends Forever with Shannon Hale & LeUyen Pham

Sunday, October 24 at 1:30pm ET

Real life best friends Shannon and LeUyen are here to give you insights on their creative process, make you laugh and remind you that you are enough! Presenting their latest graphic novel, Friends Forever (based on Shannon’s own experiences of school) sees young Shannon become an eighth grader while struggling with her emotions, insecurities and undiagnosed anxieties, like so many children and teens.

Ages 12 and up:

Hunting By Stars book coverThe Monsters Amongst Us with Cherie Dimaline & Patrick Ness

Sunday, October 31 at 4pm ET

Dragons, dystopian worlds and a live Q&A? Cherie Dimaline and Patrick Ness have quite the afternoon planned for you, and will make you question everything you think you know about frightening monsters. Tune in as the authors challenge your self-awareness and present their highly anticipated new, young-adult novels, Cherie Dimaline’s Hunting by Stars and Patrick Ness’s Burn

All Ages:

Fay and Fluffy headshotsFay & Fluffy’s Storytime – Halloween Special

Sunday, October 31 at 11am ET

Tune in for some family fun with fabulous frocks and tremendous tales with fan favourites Fay & Fluffy! Join Fay and Fluffy as they blow the cobwebs off the best spooky stories and songs and provide a feast of ghouls and giggles. It’s their favourite time of year, and you won’t want to miss this party. 

TIFA Kids is proud to present 30+ free virtual events that explore stories of love, quests, friendship and family. Browse the full TIFA Kids event lineup here, and join in on all the fun!

TIFA Kids is back at the Toronto International Festival of Authors! This year’s programme is bigger, better and includes adventures for the whole family to enjoy. From October 21 to 31, join us for a daily dose of new adventure, including riveting readings, colourful draw-alongs, quizzical Q&As and more!

With so many events to choose from, this handy guide will help you navigate the programme by age group, to make the most of your TIFA Kids experience and find adventure suited to each family member’s reading levels. From sorry potatoes to frightening monsters, delve into 11 days of adventure, with these ten can’t-miss kids events:


Ages 3 and up:

I'm Sorry book coverSorry is the Hardest Word of All with Debbie Ridpath Ohi

Friday, October 29 at 1pm ET

Flamingo is upset. Very upset. Potato is sorry. Very sorry. In fact, he is the sorriest. But how does he tell Flamingo? Join Debbie Ridpath Ohi to learn how Flamingo and Potato mend their friendship in a fun draw-along, and then share your artwork with us online, using the hashtag #TIFAKids!

Ages 4 and up:

Malaika's Costume book coverMalaika’s Costume with Nadia L. Hohn & Irene Luxbacher

Thursday, October 28 at 1:30pm ET

Will Malaika have a costume in time for Carnival? Join author Nadia L. Hohn and illustrator Irene Luxbacher to learn more about Malaika’s adventures and the celebration of Carnival. Follow along and design your own Carnival costumes, then get ready to join grade one students from across Canada for a colourful dance party that celebrates family, community and the Caribbean diaspora!

Scaredy Squirrel in a Nutshell book coverHalloween with Scaredy Squirrel & Mélanie Watt

Sunday, October 31 at 2pm ET

Celebrate Halloween with Scaredy Squirrel’s safety guide for scaredys, from everyone’s favourite worrywart. Mélanie Watt, creator of Scaredy Squirrel, will help you survive the spooks by giving you the scoop on Scaredy’s ideas, strategies and plans for Halloween. Don’t forget to grab your pencils to do some planning of your own!

Ages 5 and up:

Pizazz Vs. The New Kid book coverThe World of Upside Down, Inside Out Superheroes with Sophy Henn

Saturday, October 23 at 11:30am ET

Have you ever wondered what it was like to be a superhero? Join award-winning picture book author and illustrator Sophy Henn to hear all about superkid Pizazz, her rivalry with the new superkid in town, and their mission to save the world…together. Then get your paper and pencil ready for a very super draw-along! Mask and cape optional.

Ages 6 and up:

Thunder and the Noise Storm book coverWhen the World is Too Loud – with Jeffrey & Shezza Ansloos

Monday, October 25 at 1pm ET

When the world gets too loud and chaotic, a young boy’s Mosom (grandfather) helps him listen with wonder, in Thunder and the Noise Storms by Jeffrey Ansloos and Shezza Ansloos, illustrated by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley. Join all three to hear how this picture book blends neurodiversity with Indigenous worldview to offer strategies to manage sensory overload, then see how Joshua created the book’s stunning illustrations.

Ages 8 and up:

Miles Morales: Shock Waves book coverTingling Spidey Sense Tales with Miles Morales: Shockwaves with Justin A. Reynolds & Pablo Leon

Saturday, October 30 at 3pm ET

Calling all Marvel readers and enthusiasts: Spider-Man is making an appearance at this year’s Festival! Get ready to swing into the action with Miles Morales, an average Brooklyn school kid by day and a web-shooting superhero by night. Join bestselling author Justin A. Reynolds and award-nominated artist Pablo Leon as they reveal their latest comic book creation, Miles Morales: Shockwaves, and explore how stories are being created for a new generation of Marvel readers.

Ages 10 and up:

Kaleidoscope book coverKaleidoscope with Brian Selznick

Saturday, October 30 at 1pm ET

TIFA Kids is super hyped to welcome genre-defying storyteller Brian Selznick to present his latest novel, Kaleidoscope. Joined by award-winning young-adult author David Levithan, together they’ll discuss how Kaleidoscope plays with words, pictures, concepts of storytelling, time and identity. Plus there is a live audience Q&A!

Ages 11 and up:

Friends Forever book coverFriends Forever with Shannon Hale & LeUyen Pham

Sunday, October 24 at 1:30pm ET

Real life best friends Shannon and LeUyen are here to give you insights on their creative process, make you laugh and remind you that you are enough! Presenting their latest graphic novel, Friends Forever (based on Shannon’s own experiences of school) sees young Shannon become an eighth grader while struggling with her emotions, insecurities and undiagnosed anxieties, like so many children and teens.

Ages 12 and up:

Hunting By Stars book coverThe Monsters Amongst Us with Cherie Dimaline & Patrick Ness

Sunday, October 31 at 4pm ET

Dragons, dystopian worlds and a live Q&A? Cherie Dimaline and Patrick Ness have quite the afternoon planned for you, and will make you question everything you think you know about frightening monsters. Tune in as the authors challenge your self-awareness and present their highly anticipated new, young-adult novels, Cherie Dimaline’s Hunting by Stars and Patrick Ness’s Burn

All Ages:

Fay and Fluffy headshotsFay & Fluffy’s Storytime – Halloween Special

Sunday, October 31 at 11am ET

Tune in for some family fun with fabulous frocks and tremendous tales with fan favourites Fay & Fluffy! Join Fay and Fluffy as they blow the cobwebs off the best spooky stories and songs and provide a feast of ghouls and giggles. It’s their favourite time of year, and you won’t want to miss this party. 

TIFA Kids is proud to present 30+ free virtual events that explore stories of love, quests, friendship and family. Browse the full TIFA Kids event lineup here, and join in on all the fun!

9:01pm

Thursday, March 28

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