NEW SERIES OF INTERACTIVE PRESENTATIONS ENTERTAINS AND EDUCATES TORONTO CHILDREN.

TINY world Shows, feature close-up views and other images of wonders found around the house, the country, and the city.

Toronto, September 2002 --- What does the armour plate of a rhinoceros look like - from four inches away? How about a dragon fruit or a cloven hoof? The spit valve on a trumpet? A new series of interactive slide presentations including images such as those, and many others, is entertaining and educating local children under the name Tiny World Shows.

They are the creation of Toronto photographer David Allen, the Director of Tiny World. During 30 years as a professional photographer, Allen realized that there are visual wonders everywhere, and that was the beginning of Tiny World Shows, a series of six themed shows.

The shows are built of photographic 35mm slides detailing close-up images, or unusual perspectives of things to be found in everyday places like the market, music room, the farm or in the cupboard. The results are often surprising. Allen narrates the shows himself, asking questions and building excitement for the minds of primary grade children.

"I've always been a visual person," he says, "I create excitement through visual images. I was hopeless at books when I was at school, but I liked picture books, and thought there must be others like me. I had presented slide shows for my daughters' Brownie group for several years for fun as a volunteer, showing close-up photos of all kinds of everyday household objets d'art. A couple of years ago, I began to get serious about combining some of my ideas, and that was the start of the first Tiny World Show."

In roughly six months of refining his work, Allen estimates he has shown Tiny World Shows to about 1000 children. They have been winning popularity with local audiences of children, in presentations at the Children's Own Museum in Toronto, Hamilton Children's Museum, Toronto Schools, Public Libraries, and other venues.

"The major challenge has been acceptance," Allen said, "Often when I arrive for a show, I find the teachers or supervisors are very skeptical, but afterwards they have marveled that I held Scott's attention more than half an hour, because Scott has attention-deficit disorder."

Librarian, Kim Pook at the Eatonville Toronto Public Library agreed. "The children at our library were enthralled by the beautiful slides. The presentation was lively educational and best of all allowed much participation". Teacher Tanya Chaterjee said: "David Allen presents a visual treat. His shows initiate discussion, provoke thought, and provide a springboard for further curriculum related activities," after his Tiny World presentation to her Grade One class at Swansea Public School.

Allen has made Tiny World Shows his full-time commitment. For the future, he is already planning more Tiny World Shows, (he calls them trips), on topics such as the doctor's office, the dentist, and firehall. Allen has been asked to customize shows on occasion, and has produced one on multiculturism for the Toronto Public Libraries.

David Allen can be reached at 416 762-1101