Unglue the kids from the iPad for a little low-tech genius at Vancouver International Children's Festival this weekend

Kids are so inundated with digital wizardry these days that it's hard to even imagine them getting excited over simpler forms of storytelling.

That's why it was so amazing watching the little dudes' responses to The Queen of Colours at the Vancouver International Children's Festival this weekend.

Using an overhead projector, paint, magic markers, shadow puppetry, and a kickass accordion player, the German production makes simple theatrical magic. And the kids sat in silent awe of it.

We can post a video of how it all unfolds, but that technology just won't do it justice.

We're not talking about overstimulation here. The quirky story of a petulant queen comes to life on a screen: first she demands the projection artist create a red world, then blue, then colours mix and mash. A rainbow of paper rain drops cascade down on her at one moment; flowers pop up magically at others; blue sea and yellow desert collide in swirling messes of paint.

Queen is aimed at the four to eight-year-old set (with the ideal age five or so, I'd say). For even smaller viewers, word has it the equally low-tech Sparrow is also a stunning study in serene stage magic. Babies and toddlers come and go from the stage, examining the bird puppets and touching their soft, felt eggs.

Both still have tickets available and both are worth unplugging for this weekend on Granville Island.