Real magic goes down at Te Ahu

Saturday was dark and stormy in Kaitaia, but some real magic was going down at Te Ahu.

Hundreds of families swamped the complex to lap up a full card of entertainment and activities when the Storylines Festival arrived in the town for the very first time. Many of the children, and adults, got into the spirit of the occasion by dressing up as supernatural beings, fantasy creatures, cowboys, queens and princesses, various forms of wildlife, super heroes and more.

Librarian Helen Yuretich, who spent countless hours over many weeks organising the day, led by example, modelling a stunning outfit representing the Snow Queen from CS Lewis' The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.

The main hall was packed to bursting with exhibitions and activities, from face-painting, colouring-in and design competitions to arts and crafts, while renowned children's authors and illustrators, including Bruce Potter, Leonie Agnew, Diana Menefy and Australian guest Rachel Spratt (the Nanny Piggins series) read to enthralled young audiences in the library.

The Far North Ukulele Ensemble, magicians, tinklers, tiger dancers and information stalls vied for attention in the atrium, and two carrot-munching donkeys held court on the library patio.

Serious competition was evident in several of the fancy dress costumes on show, particularly notable efforts including Olivia Chuck's witch. The "seven almost-eight-year-old" from Takahue chose her favourite attraction of the day early on in the form of Slinky Malinky, one of the plays performed in the theatre by Kaitaia College students.

There were several large mascots too, but Clifford the Big Red Dog stole the show.

He was constantly surrounded by children, while the others, including two rats and a big blue bird, could only watch in envy.

Parents who had their hands full trying to keep track of their offspring as they took off in different directions tended, at some point in the proceedings, to gravitate towards a table laden with complimentary dishes including pumpkin soup and French bread, celery sticks with hummus and other healthy dips, cucumber sandwiches, mini won tons and spring rolls.

Anne Dickson, who travelled from Auckland to be there as a Storylines Festival volunteer, said she was impressed by the reception, the huge turnout and Te Ahu itself.

"The response has been fantastic. I just adore this facility. We are so pleased to be able get up here," she said.

Te Ahu was "absolutely buzzing," she said, adding that the Storylines troupe had maximised their inaugural Far North visit by visiting local schools before Saturday's extravaganza.

Storylines was all about bringing stories to life for young children, and the library of today was very different to that of years gone by.

"Libraries today need to be a lot of different things," she said.

The Storylines Children's Literature Charitable Trust of New Zealand, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, supports and promotes children's literature.

The trust was established and is supported by the Storylines Children's Literature Foundation, a membership organisation comprising professionals in the fields of reading, writing, publishing and literacy.