Gail de Vos

Storyteller, author, librarian and educator, Gail de Vos has been an active promoter of the oral tradition of literature in Alberta for over three decades. She is the past president of T.A.L.E.S., The Alberta League Encouraging Storytelling.

She tells stories at the Edmonton Folk Festival, schools, libraries, on CBC Radio, and abroad. Gail teaches courses on storytelling as well as courses on Canadian Children's Literature, Indigenous Literature for Young Readers, Comic Books and Graphic Novels at the University of Alberta in the Faculty of Library and Information Studies. For many years she told stories at Fort Edmonton Park to bring the history of the Edmonton area alive through storytelling and was co-organizer of the annual Storytelling Festival held at the Park for 18 years.

Gail is the author of nine award winning resource books on storytelling and folklore in popular culture intended for educators working with students in Grade 6 and above as well as numerous guest chapters on storytelling, monsters, and folklore in popular culture for academic monographs. While her specialty is telling contemporary legends to young and not so young adults, she is equally at ease telling stories to young audiences.

Whatever the story, she weaves a bond between herself and listeners, calling up memories and emotions and helping us understand ourselves and the world we live in. Gail de Vos combines the art of storytelling with folktales, both traditional and contemporary, legends and myths, and stories of local history and personal heroes to create unforgettable performances and engaging workshops and clinics.