Tales with a twist

BigJoe The Storyteller

With children being exposed to more hours of screen time than ever before, how do parents ensure that the time outside of online school is well spent? And how do they be a part of it too? These are questions that the Tale Train Storytelling Festival, presented by city-based platform Talking Turtles, will be addressing through this weekend.

Anna Manuel

The event comprises four sessions (one held each week) helmed by storytellers from around the world such as BigJoe The Storyteller, Rick Huddle, Jillian Webster, Rosie Best-Cutrer and Anna Manuel, who bring unique tales to the fore with puppets, props and music. The festival was launched in 2019 as a physical affair but will be facilitated on Zoom this year, via the website Playy Date for children aged between three and eight years.

Shreedevi Sunil

"I thought the virtual space is a good opportunity to invite guest storytellers from all over the world. It also gives the kids a chance to listen to talented tellers like Best-Curter, who is based out of Kansas City in the US, or Manuel from Bangkok," Shreedevi Sunil of Talking Turtles shares. She also adds that the storytellers aren't on the international circuit, travelling to festivals, and thus specialise in working on their own stories for children. "I personally look up to them, so we are trying to ensure that as many children have access to them as possible. We are blessed that the Muskaan Project will be sponsoring kids from NGOs," she says.

Parents are encouraged to accompany their kids for the sessions as the idea is that guardians can retell the stories back to their children. "As a parent and educator, I am aware that storytelling plays a huge role in the development of the child and also the relationship you end up having with them - you create a space to communicate," Shreedevi adds.

On: January 8, 15, 22 & 31, 7 pm
Log on to: playydate.page.link/k5oA
Cost: Rs 269 per session