Storylines Christchurch

What a day Sunday was. I feel like I've been run over by a bus now - but it was all worth it!

This is the second time I've been lucky enough to be involved with the co-ordination of the Christchurch Festival. I woke up on Sunday morning and thought WOW - how lucky am I to be able to help bring this Festival to Christchurch. Especially this year.

For the last 2 years the Christchurch Storylines Family Day Festival has been held in the Town Hall, but with this being closed due to major Earthquake damage, we had to hunt for another venue. Cobham Intermediate provided the perfect alternative spot.

We hosted Donovan Bixley, Lindy Fisher, Rachel Driscoll and Helen Taylor in a lovely sunny classroom with good flow, projector and screen (not something we can usually afford to provide in the town hall). Tessa Duder, David Hill, Kyle Mewburn, Ben Brown, Leonie Thorpe and Chris Morphew enjoyed reading in a wee amphitheatre off the library that was a perfect size for storytelling. The Topp Twins sang and entertained a capacity crowd in the modern school hall (although the smell of the Dinosaur poo after Donovan and Kyle launched their new Dinosaur Rescue series was pooohhheeee.) It was an awesome day.

It was really encouraging to see so many teenagers keen to take part as helpers. They sat outside in the sun and face-painted hundred's of little faces or helped them make animal masks. Clifford and Mrs Wishy Washy wandered around all day and the place just hummed.

To spend the day in such a warm fuzzy way, is just beyond words. I love books, I love sharing books and the crowd and feedback we have had shows that so do many, many others in this great little city. Long live the book!

Maria and Sarah judging the 'There's a hole in my bucket' colouring competition

Penny and Kim with the Topp Twins. Their new book is going to go places. They are awesome!

The crowd certainly gathered.

Oh no, Kim caught in that hat again!