Small Print Toronto

Small Print is a literary event series that runs two programs, Tot Studio and Teen Beat. We stage bi-monthly shows, on an alternating basis. One month, we present a Tots Studio event. The next month, a Teen Beat one. And so on. Our interactive shows are designed to provide budding readers and sprouting writers with a hands-on opportunity to enrich their understanding of how stories work. Overall, Small Print cultivates a dialogue between professional writers and their primary audiences. Our Tot Studio program encourages curious readers aged 2-8 to participate in the creative process. It also serves as a forum for children’s authors and illustrators who want to forego the routine of traditional ‘story-time’ and develop a comparatively more creative, performative way of bringing their tale to life. Magic tricks, drawing demonstrations, short plays and sing-alongs are just the tip of the iceberg. Every presentation leads into a group arts and crafts project. Teen Beat is our series for writers in their early-to-mid-teenaged years. These young scribes take part in workshops conducted by professional creative writing instructors. They create short pieces based on the themes in a newly released book, and, then present them alongside the book’s author to an audience The format will vary, depending on the concerns of an individual text. Expect everything - from a thoughtful group discussion to a rollicking cabaret. Small Print will begin gradually. Our inaugural Teen Beat show is scheduled for January, 2010. The Tot Studio program begins on October 18 in Toronto with a landmark new collection of Winnie-the-Pooh tales. We will join forces with Thin Air: Winnipeg International Writer’s Festival to stage our show ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’s Homecoming Party”’on November 8 in his namesake town, Winnipeg.