About YABS

The Young Alberta Book Society (YABS) is committed to creating arts opportunities for young Albertans. The arts are fundamental to a healthy, productive rich life and, we believe, should be available to all regardless of where you live or your socioeconomic status.

Our society is best known for our children's literary festival. held each year in October. Now in our 25th year, we have changed the name of our festival to TALEBLAZERS. During the festival, authors, illustrators and storytellers visit schools and public libraries throughout Alberta. TALEBLAZERS creates opportunities for thousands of meetings between students and artists, which lead to enhanced levels of literacy and, most importantly, excitement about reading and the arts.

The Young Alberta Book Society offers other programs and services to our members. Please refer to our PROGRAMS page to learn about WORDPOWER and STORY AVENUE, and the Martyn Godfrey Young Writers' Award. We are always looking for new ways to expand our role within the arts and education field and the arts community. Please contact the YABS office staff or any of the board members with program or service ideas you may have for us.

Quick YABS Facts
• founded in 1983 by Marg Stephen who worked as its director for 15 years.
• incorporated as a non-profit society in 1985.
• during Chrysalis 2006
· more than 615 presentations were held throughout Alberta.
· 49 literary artists toured with the Festival.
· 203 venues in 115 communities hosted Festival presentations.