Dennis Lee delighted his audience of Prince Edward children who filled the newly-renovated Regent Theatre to capacity Friday morning.

The newly-renovated Regent Theatre was packed to the rafters as elementary school children from all over the County crammed in to hear award-winning author Dennis Lee read his popular poetry.

“Everybody likes to be read to,”  Books & Company’s David Sweet told the children before he welcomed Lee to the stage. “Everybody – at your age and even when you grow up, it’s always nice to have somebody read to you. I read Dennis Lee’s first book at about age 17 and I still like that book. Lee books are ones your kids and your grandkids will be reading. It’s children’s poetry that adults like to read, too.”
The event was organized by the Picton Public Library as a joint venture between the Authors Festival and the library. Picton branch manager Christine Renaud said the event was originally intended to be held at the branch, but was quickly so popular, the library approached the Regent Theatre on a change of venue. The Regent, says administrator Jim McMillan, was thrilled to host the event. “We love seeing the theatre used this way. Too bad we couldn’t do it every week.”
Lee began writing for children as part of his goal of “Reclaiming language and liberating imagination” and creates poems rooted in the words and activities of their everyday lives.
His most famous work is the rhymed Alligator Pie (1974).  Children also love Jelly Belly, Cat and the Wizard, Garbage Delight and The Ice Cream Store.
In addition to his 1972 Governor General’s Award, Lee twice won the CACL Bronze Medal for a children’s book: in 1974 for Alligator Pie, and in 1977 for Garbage Delight. He also won the Vicky Metcalf Award, for body of work for children, in 1986, and the Mr. Christie’s Book Award (for The Ice Cream Store) in 1991.

The author’s festival continues:

Volumes of events at this year’s Author Fest

Readings, workshops, book signings, pub poetry, conversations & more!

A packed four days of literary activities in multiple locations across Prince Edward County. Events include fiction and non-fiction author readings, round table discussions and workshops. The ever popular “poetry in the pub” at the Acoustic Grill. Award winning children’s author events sponsored by the Authors Festival and hosted by the County of Prince Edward Public Library & Archives in conjunction with the Regent Theatre

And back by popular demand in conjunction with our partners the Prince Edward Arts Council “County Reads”

SCHEDULE

Wednesday, May 11th – 6:30 pm

Meet well-known authors and emerging Canadian writers during the County’s four-day literary celebration.
The Festival begins at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11 with the popular Fundraising Author Festival Dinner at Portabella Restaurant in Picton, with Charles Foran and Noah Richler.
Charles Foran is the winner of the 2011 Charles Taylor Prize for non-fiction and will be reading from his biography of Mordecai Richler,
Mordecai: A Life Following the reading, Mordecai’s son, Noah Richler, will join in conversation with his father’s biographer.

Thursday, May 12th – 2 pm

Take in a Master Class with the award-winning Charles Foran upstairs at Books & Company, Picton.
The presentation will be “Telling Lives: How to Build a Biography”The class is limited to 12 participants, and the cost per person is $30.

Thursday May 12th – 7 pm

Enjoy Poetry In The Pub at the Acoustic Grill. On hand will be the legendary Dennis Lee (YesNo, Un, Riffs), Susan Perly (Love Street), Heather Cadsby (Could be), John Oughton, (Time Slip), and 2010 Governor General Award Winner Richard Greene (Boxing the Compass).

There will be an “open mic” for all local poets at the Acoustic Grill from 5.30, please sign-up for at the door for your chance to read or call 613.476.3037

Friday, May 13th – 10 am

Schools around the County will bring students at 10 am to the Regent Theatre to hear famous children’s author Dennis Lee (Alligator Pie, Garbage Delight, The Cat and the Wizard) at the newly renovated Regent Theatre.

Friday, May 13th – 1 pm and 2 pm

At the Wellington branch of the Public Library, students can enjoy children’s author and illustrator Ruth Ohi (Clara and the Bossy; Chicken, Pig, Cow)

Friday, May 13th – 3:30 pm

Poetry lovers take note! Winner of the 2010 Governor General’s Award for English language poetry Richard Greene (Boxing the Compass) presents a poetry workshop at Books & Company at 3:30pm Limited spaces. $20.

Friday, May 13th – 5:30 pm

In the evening at Books & Company., non fiction reigns with Wayne Grady and Merilyn Simonds (Breakfast at the Exit Cafe) and Merilyn Simonds reading from her new memoir, (A New Leaf) and Iain Reid (One Bird’s Choice).

Saturday, May 14th

– from 9 am to 10:30 am

Joel Yanofsky will read from his non-fiction memoir (Bad Animals – a father’s accidental education in autism) followed by a Breakfast Panel discussion on memoir and biography upstairs at Books & Company with Joel Yanofsky, Wayne Grady and Merilyn Simonds. Invigorating chat and delicious Miss Lily’s Breakfast.

– from 11 am to 12:15 pm

Fictions with Richard Cumyn (The Young in Their Country and Other Stories), Kristen den Hartog (And Me Among Them), David Homel (Midway), and Matthew J. Trafford (The Divinity Gene).

– from 1:30 pm to 3 pm

Michael Riordon (Our Way to Fight)

– from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm

Topping off the day it’s The County Reads Debate. Which book will prevail? Come hear Andrew McLuhan, Norma Currah, Lynne Donovan, Caroline Granger and Bev Campbell defend their choices.

Don’t Miss!

The Regent Theatre film presentations of Barney’s Version starting with a Tuesday Matinee at 3:30pm followed by evening presentations at 7 pm Tuesday, May 10 to Thursday, May 12.