Storylines festival

Just got back from the annual Storylines day in Auckland. And what a wonderful thing it was: the Aotea Centre was filled with excited kids - mostly younger. Some were dressed up: I saw a Little Red Riding Hood, and two small purple dragons who were having a swordfight.
There were plays, face painting, story telling, book-making, play dough, readings and drawing - and even Hairy McLary and Clifford bounding about. You could make your own dragon, or watch some of our finest illustrators work, or learn calligraphy.
I'm always deeply jealous of people who can draw. It seems like magic to me. I went to listen to Anthony Browne, all the way from the UK, and he showed us how to play the Shape Game (one of his books) which is a way of teaching yourself to draw. He reckons even dud drawers like me ought to be able to do it. We'll see. He launched his new book Silly Billy here today.
Most of the sessions were about picture books, or with authors who have published picture books, although some have written books for readers of all ages.
In the morning I listened to Margaret Mahy read a couple of her books, including her wonderful poem, Down the Back of the Chair. Then later Joy Cowley answered lots of questions and told a story with a surprise ending (she screamed) that made us all jump a metre in the air with fright.
There were also similar days in Wellington and New Plymouth - but why not Christchurch, I wonder?
All too much fun for a wet and windy Sunday.