Tales for Tots Room (for Children ages 0-3)

Step into the Tales for Tots Room at the Decatur Book Festival, a calm and welcoming space created especially for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Located inside the First Baptist Church of Decatur Children's area, this room offers a full day of engaging storytelling, gentle performances, and age-appropriate fun led by some of Atlanta’s most beloved arts and cultural institutions.

Perfect for children ages 0 to 3, the room features comfortable seating for families and interactive programming designed to spark imagination without overwhelming young attention spans.

What to Expect

Alliance Theatre (Performance): 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM

The Birthday of the World, created by Jonathan Shmidt Chapman, is inspired by the book Birthday of the World by Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen.  

How can you repair the world, finding one spark at a time? Gather around and lean forward as we share a gift with you – a story about how the world was born and how it needs your help to be filled with light again. Based on the beautiful children's book by Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen and drawing from Jewish folklore, this immersive performance brings a timeless and timely story to life through gentle storytelling, visual wonder, and sensory play.  

Alliance Theatre (Storytelling): 12:15 - 12:45 PM

Babies: Off-Book! is for 0-24 month olds and their grown-ups. Shake up your weekly routine with this sensory story time for infants and toddlers. Families will bring their favorite stories to life through rhyme, song, and tactile props. Alliance Theatre teaching artists will guide you through a multi-sensory experience engaging the voice, body, and imagination.

Musical Storytime with Music Together of Decatur: 1 - 1:30 PM

Join Music Together of Decatur in a musical storytime, especially for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. We'll sing and dance through stories, and we'll just plain sing and dance!

Atlanta History Center (Storytelling): 1:45 - 2:15 PM

Join Atlanta History Center as we follow the story of Stanley the Mouse and his visits delivering books around the village in his mobile library. We will also offer a take-away craft that you can make at home.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (Performance): 2:30 - 3:00 PM

Music meets storytelling in The Tortoise and the Hare, brought to life by actors and musicians from the Atlanta Symphony. This fun and interactive show invites kids ages 3-8 and their families to enjoy the classic tale of patience and perseverance. Join us as we explore the power of determination—no matter how fast (or slow) you go!