Southwest Human Development joins Paradise Valley Community College for Festival of Tales
Southwest Human Development is is expanding imaginations through stories during the spring Festival of Tales — a fun day of reading, literacy and cultural activities for children and families that will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 30 at Paradise Valley Community College.
More than 4,000 new books—by way of Southwest Human Development in partnership with Reading Is Fundamental—will be given away to participating children. In the past seven years, more than 35,000 new books have been given to children, many from low-income families.
“At Southwest Human Development, we’re committed to developing early literacy skills so children can grow, progress and enter school ready to learn,” said Ginger Ward, CEO of Southwest Human Development. “This event helps children and families by providing a tremendous amount of access to quality, age-appropriate books, stories and community resources.”
Since its inception, Festival of Tales has grown from just 250 participants to more than 2,000 children and their families, with more than 100 volunteers at each event. The festival,hosted by Paradise Valley Community College and Maricopa County Community Colleges, brings books to life through the “Art of Storytelling” and provides free books to children who participate in the day’s activities.
Storytelling sessions will take place at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 1 p.m. There will also be demonstrations of pottery making and clay sculpting, LEGO building stations that focus on STEM principles and live musical performances by Paradise Valley Community College student music ensembles, Copper Canyon Elementary School Choir and the Phoenix Children’s Chorus.
Festival of Tales is free and open to the public. Advanced registration is suggested at festivaloftales.com.
Paradise Valley Community College is located at 18401 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix. Day-of-event registration will be available on the north side of the Kranitz Student Center.
Info/Registration: festivaloftales.com.
About Southwest Human Development
Southwest Human Development is Arizona’s largest nonprofit dedicated to early childhood development. Recognizing a child’s earliest experiences and relationships establish the foundation for all future development, Southwest Human Development’s more than 40 comprehensive programs focus on young children – ages birth to 5 – and their families in the areas of child development and mental health, Easter Seals disabilities services, early literacy and Head Start, child welfare and professional development and training. Founded in 1981, Southwest Human Development serves 135,000 children and families each year. Learn more at swhd.org.