The Vancouver International Children’s Festival fills Granville Island with activity from Monday (May 27) to June 2. Here are some must-sees amid the topnotch performances that artistic and executive director Katharine Carol and her team have curated from here and around the world.

Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch

Performance Works and Waterfront Theatre

Axis Theatre’s moving, imaginative puppet play took home two Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards in 2017 for outstanding design and artistic creation. If you and your kids missed it then, here’s your chance to see loneliness and isolation explored in a funny story about the need to connect.

Jamie Adkins: A Fool’s Errand

Granville Island Stage

In past fest appearances, this Chaplin-esque solo circus performer has brought down the house by turning ladders, forks, and even crumpled paper into magic. This time he’s toting tubas and Ping-Pong balls. Needless to say, we’re in.

Is This a Dagger? The Story of Macbeth

Studio 1398

Slightly older kids (seven and up) will delight in Scotsman Andy Cannon’s inventive props (kitchen bucket, duster, rubber gloves, and a torch) and beyond-artful storytelling—so much that they might not even realize they’re learning loads about Shakespeare.

The Polar Bears Go Up

Performance Works

More mad genius from Scotland: the country sends these cheeky furry emissaries, bent on reaching a lost balloon. Think visual wonder and wildly physical and wordless humour. Don’t be surprised if your adult self is as charmed as your kid is.