Events: Arizona - Phoenix - Scottsdale

Southwest Human Development, Arizona’s largest nonprofit dedicated to early childhood development, is partnering with Paradise Valley Community College to host Festival of Tales on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Presented by Fiesta Bowl Charities with support from CopperPoint Insurance, Festival of Tales is a fun-filled family event promoting reading and literacy that features dozens of free children’s activities, including face-painting, arts and crafts, music and much more! Paradise Valley Community College students will also host “Art of Storytelling” sessions, which introduces children to the magic of storytelling. Southwest Human Development is expected to distribute more than 3,000 new children’s books to families at this year’s event.

“Literacy is a fundamental part of early childhood development,” says Jake Adams, chief development officer of Southwest Human Development. “Access to books and literacy-rich activities help children learn the language skills needed to thrive in academic and social settings. The free books and activities provided at Festival of Tales is the perfect opportunity for Phoenix families to introduce their children to the fun and interactive aspects of storytelling to help them begin developing essential language and literacy skills.”

Since its inception, Festival of Tales has grown from just 250 attendees to over 2,000 children and their families, with more than 30,000 new children’s books distributed as part of Southwest Human Development’s focus on early literacy.

Festival of Tales is free and open to the public. Advance registration is requested at festivaloftales.com. 

Paradise Valley Community College is located at 18401 N. 32nd Street in Phoenix. Event check-in will be on the north side of the Kranitz Student Center. 

For information about Festival of Tales, please visit festivaloftales.com.