Festival helps generate children's love of words, language

By CATHERINE MASTERS

Learning to love words at an early age unleashes creativity in children and makes their place on the planet more exciting.

A festival of books and illustrations running this week is designed to liberate the writing in children and provide inspiration for the adult writers and illustrators of children's books.

The eighth annual Storylines Festival began yesterday and runs until Sunday when it culminates with an action-packed free family day at the Aotea Centre in Auckland.

The festival is hosted by the Children's Literature Foundation and, says co-ordinator Robin Houlker, it is a must for children and grown-ups.

"Our world is a world of print and if you are going to be able to make your mark in terms of your contribution I think you do need to be literate in the language of whatever your culture is," says Ms Houlker.

"You see it in very young children, their ability to begin to engage with picture books and to learn that there is a meaning behind words and that words lead you to something. And they begin to know that books have stories that will excite you, that the pictures will help you to tell a story and they take us on real journeys.

"I think the way that books engage your mind in a way that takes you through using your imagination, using your creative thought processes, is something quite special."

Opportunities for children with literature need to be increased and encouraged at every turn.

Children do not want to write just for the sake of it but because it meant something, she says.

For example, writing poetry was an avenue for some children - and on Sunday children get the chance to recite their own poems and to join in creating the longest poem in the world.

"We need people who know how to think outside the square."

A literate society was a society that was looking ahead and was learning to problem solve.

"If you can encourage your children to have a love of language I think it's such a wonderful gift.

"When you're reading a book - to be hit by a piece of prose that just so eloquently explains some concept - even though you know yourself you might never be able to write that, it is a beautiful thing to read.

"I think that's something very, very special to be able to appreciate that and I see festivals like this as the place where children start that process."