SAVE THE DATE: Festival of Tales will be held Saturday, Dec. 4, at Paradise Valley Community College

Festival of Tales is back with different ways to join the fun this year!

Southwest Human Development is proud to partner with Paradise Valley Community College to host Festival of Tales, a fun-filled event promoting reading and literacy.

Sponsored by Fiesta Bowl Charities, the free, family-fun event will include reading, literacy and cultural activities for children and families on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Paradise Valley Community College.

Festival of Tales will feature two options for families looking to get involved this year:

• Stay and play with numerous outdoor activities featuring free children’s books, live music, games, arts and crafts, and storytelling sessions
• Drive-thru and receive a Festival Fun Pack to-go that includes free children’s books and at-home arts and crafts kits

Since its inception, Festival of Tales has grown from 250 participants to over 2,000 children and their families, and has distributed more than 25,000 free children’s books as part of Southwest Human Development’s focus on early childhood literacy.

“Access to books and early literacy skills is incredibly important for young children,” says Jake Adams, chief development officer of Southwest Human Development. “Thanks to our partners with the Fiesta Bowl and at Paradise Valley Community College, Festival of Tales is the perfect opportunity for families to introduce their children to the fun, interactive aspect of storytelling and to expand upon the essential language development already happening at home with their families.”

Festival of Tales is free and open to the public. Paradise Valley Community College is located at 18401 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix.