Enjoy a “Whopper” of a Time at the StoryBook Festival on November 19 at Southwest Regional Library

Tall tales will reign at the StoryBook Festival on Saturday, November 19, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Southwest Regional Library, 16835 Sheridan St., Pembroke Pines. This free festival will provide a day of larger-than-life fun and activities for youngsters and their families.

A tall tale is a story with unbelievable elements, related as if it were true and factual. American tall tales include the legends of Davy Crockett, Johnny Appleseed, Calamity Jane, Paul Bunyan, John Henry and many others. Some of the best tall-tale tellers in the nation will be spinning their yarns at the event. Children are encouraged come to the festival in costume, dressed as a character from a tall tale or other story, and join the StoryBook Parade at 11 a.m., led by Paul Bunyan himself.

The festival offers live children’s performances on two stages, plus an arts & crafts tent, the Larger-Than-Life Story Room (a special storytelling area featuring professional storytellers), The Miami Herald’s Fantasy Forest (where children can interact with favorite fairy-tale friends), and a new “Swappin’ Ground” area where people may tell their own stories. Six food trucks will be on site, selling tasty treats during lunch hours. The first 1,000 children at the festival will receive a free book, courtesy of the Baptist Medical Plazas’ Big Book Giveaway. Parents will want to bring cameras for the StoryBook Photo Spots.

The Digital Bookmobile, a nationally touring community outreach vehicle that promotes downloadable eBooks, audiobooks, music and video, will also be at the Festival to offer fun, hands-on exhibits in an interactive learning environment.

Featured performances will include:

• Tall tales by Bil Lepp, a five-time champion of the West Virginia Liars Contest, and storytellers Donna Washington, Pat Nease, Windell Campbell and Carrie Sue Ayvar
• Comedy/magic show with Colombian magician Cesar Domico
• Little Red Riding Hood, a one-act children’s opera presented by Young Patronesses of the Opera
• Percussion show by Steve Gryb
• Performance of the Holy Cow, Mr. Pig and Bully Show
• The Three Little Pigs, a musical rendition by Superstar Productions, and much more.

The StoryBook Festival is funded through the Broward Public Library Foundation with support from the City of Pembroke Pines, Baptist Medical Plaza at Pembroke Pines, The Miami Herald, Broward Family Life Magazine, and Friends of Southwest Regional Library. Additional programming support is provided by Young Patronesses of the Opera, in partnership with Florida Grand Opera.