NALIS in associationwith Courts held the 9^th Annual Celebrity Tale-a-Thon on November 29 at the National Library.

The event was attended by the Honourable Maxie Cuffie, Minister of Communications, the Honourable Camille Robinson, Minister of Planning and Development and hundreds of children and their parents. The Celebrity Tale-A-Thon is the first event on the National Library Week Calendar (November 29 – December 5).

Apart from the storytelling segment, children were treated to activities which included craft making; puppet shows; face painting; petting zoo; balloon art; a BMX Biking demonstration; a magic show by Kess the Illusionist; spirited performances by Los Alumnos de San Juan and JJ and Friends; a football freestyle presentation, electronic games courtesy the company, Funnables and LEGO workshops conducted by Smart Kids Club.

Tiny tots were entertained by special storytelling and baby lapsit sessions; young adults participated in karaoke, featuring local music and an animation workshop; adults took part in the amazing space, library quest activity and persons 60 years and over enjoyed BINGO. The event also featured popular characters like Elsa, Olaf and Mickey Mouse.  All activities were free to the public.

Celebrity storytellers who gave of their time included minister Cuffie; vocalist, Raymond Edwards; journalist, Sterling Henderson; attorney at law and motivational speaker, Veera Bhagan; author and communications consultant, Carolyn Correia; former Trinidad and Tobago netballer, Peggy Castanda Phillip, and international storyteller and arts and education facilitator, Theadora Ulerie (Aunty Thea).

In delivering remarks at the event, Elizabeth Mahadeo, Nalis’ executive director said that “Storytelling is not only a rich tradition and a wonderful way to pass information on from one generation to the next, but it is also essential to the development of vocabulary and listening skills.” The Celebrity Tale-A-Thon event is held every year with a view to promoting the reading habit and life-long learning.