A celebration of Wilton Reads
There are many ways to tell Wilton’s stories, both real and imagined, including puppets, quilt codes, and “write-aloud.” With a nod to well-known Wilton children’s book authors and illustrators like Ingri and Edgar D’Aulaire, Johnny Gruelle, E. Boyd Smith and Lillian Hoban, the Wilton Historical Society will present “Spring Into Wilton’s Stories!” Saturday, May 7 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The family-oriented afternoon will feature the wonderful Adelka of Sova Dance and Puppet Theater performing two original interactive puppet shows loosely based on stories by Wilton children’s book authors and illustrators. Children will be able to participate in a puppet-making activity and discover other ways of telling stories. Skilled demonstrator Candiss Cowan will show how special patterns in the quilts – the “Quilt Codes” – were an important way to guide enslaved people to freedom via the Underground Railroad, and explain the stories hidden in the designs. Kids can also try their hand at a quilt code activity.
Written Out Loud’s Josh Shelov will be on hand to add to the storytelling fun. His interactive workshop stimulates creativity through collaborative “write-aloud” that he will present in a fun game show-style format. Josh is an Emmy-winning screenwriter and filmmaker who has directed several Hollywood films and teaches storytelling at Yale.
