In the News

Read all about it

We’ve spent decades inspiring young children, and during that time we’ve had our share of the spotlight. 

News Articles

Children’s Fairyland dreams of a brighter future despite pandemic

San Francisco Chronicle Datebook - November 2, 2020

Read the article

 

Children's Fairyland in Oakland Struggles for Survival

CBS San Francisco - SF - KPIX, July 13, 2020

Watch the video

 

Children’s Fairyland plans to reopen safely—and with more diverse representation

The Oaklandside, July 2020

Read the article

 

Fairyland, Baker, Tennis Club: a Snapshot of Pandemic Aid in One City

The New York Times, July 2020

Read the article

 

COVID-19 makes for an unusual Mother's Day; people and businesses find new ways to celebrate

KTVU Fox 2, May 2020

Watch the video

 

Weekend Adventure: Children’s Fairyland, in Oakland

Berkeley Hills Living, November 2019

Download the article

 

Children’s Fairyland in Oakland in good hands of new chief

East Bay Times, October 2019

Read the article

 

Will Lewis, 14, is Fairyland's master puppetry apprentice

San Francisco Chronicle, March 17, 2019

Read the article

 

Children's Fairyland director C.J. Hirschfield will leave after 17 years

San Francisco Chronicle, February 22, 2019

Read the article

 

Fairyland Named "Most Amazing Place to Take the Kids" in California

Buzzfeed, March 22, 2018

Read the article.

 

Children Sworn In As Citizens at Oakland’s Fairyland

ABC7 News, San Francisco, July 31, 2017

Watch the video

 

Kids Awarded Certificates of Citizenship at Whimsical Children’s Fairyland

East Bay Times, July 31, 2017

Read the article

 

Otorgan ciudadanía a 15 niños del Área de la Bahía

Univision Channel 14, July 31, 2017

Ver video (español)

 

Interview with Fairyland Executive Director C.J. Hirschfield

OaklandGood podcast, July 22, 2017

Listen to the interview 

 

Longtime Santa at Children’s Fairyland in Oakland to Be Missed

East Bay Times, June 26, 2017

Read the article

 

Oakland’s Fairyland: A Theme Park for Children

Video by Georgia Freedman and Jake Nichol, Wall Street Journal, March 21, 2017

Three-minute video with current and historical footage and an interview with Fairyland Executive Director C.J. Hirschfield.

Watch the video

News Archive

The Original Happiest Place on Earth

Martin Snapp, California Magazine, December 18, 2016

How two UC Berkeley graduates, Arthur E. Navlet and William Penn Mott Jr., invented Fairyland in the late 1940s – and how their dream has survived and thrived into the 21st century.

Read the article

 

Toddler stage: The very little get in on the improv act 

Lily Janiak, San Francisco Chronicle, November 5, 2016

“Splish Splash,” a co-production of Fairyland and Bay Area Children’s Theatre, brings live professional theater to audiences age 6 months to 4 years.

Read the article

 

No Fairy(land) Tale: Kids Become U.S. Citizens in Unique Ceremony

Gary Peterson, East Bay Times -  August 1, 2016

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf presented citizenship certificates to 19 children at a ceremony at Fairyland’s Aesop’s Playhouse.  

Read article

 

Oakland Extends Warm Welcome to Youngsters Becoming Citizens

Rachel Swan, SFGate.com – August 1, 2016

Comedian and inspirational speaker Michael Pritchard, who hosted the ceremony for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, delivered exuberant remarks.

Read article

 

Brain Gain: Boosting Children’s Vocabulary by Talking, Reading & Singing

Paula Ambrose, KR Foundation - July 30, 2014

Two thousand Oakland families received clothing, blankets and books and were joined by performer José-Luis Orozco, storytellers, storybook characters and community leaders.

Read article

 

Fairyland helps Clinton close the “word gap” in Oakland and nationwide

C.J. Hirschfield, Oakland Local - July 30, 2014

Schools, libraries, churches and—of course—Children’s Fairyland, will help by distributing campaign materials and reinforcing the message.

Read article

 

Let’s Talk, Oakland!

Too Small to Fail - July 25, 2014

This week, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton joined business, hospital and community leaders to announce the launch of “Talking is Teaching: Talk Read Sing,” a multi-media campaign that will help Oakland parents improve their babies’ ability to build vocabulary and set them up for brighter futures.

Read article

 

Hillary Clinton launches campaign that recommends reading aloud to children from birth

Samantha Clark, Oakland Tribune - July 23, 2014

To mark the start of the campaign, a citywide baby shower with entertainment and educational activities is being held at Oakland's Fairyland.

Read article

 

Koit Radio Interview on “Today’s World”

C.J. Hirschfield, Today’s World - October 13, 2013

Executive Director C.J. Hirschfield joined the show to talk about Children's Fairyland history and all the great events offered for parents and kids.

Listen to the interview

 

Emancipation Proclamation at Oakland’s Fairyland

C.J. Hirschfield, Oakland Local - July 19, 2013

C.J. praises Fairyland's interns from Beyond Emancipation, an organization dedicated to helping former foster children thrive.

Read article

 

Cajitas de cuentos en español en Children's Fairyland

Letecia Mendoza, Al Dia - June 12, 2013

“al Dia con Leticia Mendoza” interviews Bambi and Daniel Ordonez, mother-and-son voice talent for Fairyland’s Spanish-language Talking Storybook Boxes.

Watch video

 

Celebrating “Love Our Lake Day” at Oakland’s Lake Merritt

C.J. Hirschfield, Oakland Local - June 12, 2013

Children’s Fairyland celebrates “Love Our Lake Day,” which featured the Lake Merritt Boulevard grand opening celebration, made possible by the passage of Oakland Bond Measure DD a decade ago.

Read article

 

Once Upon A Time at Fairyland: Hospitality begins at home

C.J. Hirschfield, Piedmont Post - June 5, 2013

Children’s Fairyland is pleased to partner with local establishments that believe that creating community is just good business.

Read article (PDF)

 

San Francisco Shakespeare performs “A Midsummer Night's Dream” at Children's Fairyland

Jane Tyska, San Jose Mercury News - March 15, 2013

Over 400 second and third-grade students attended the event, which was aimed at improving literacy.

Read article

 

Oakland's Fairyland Children's Theater teaches kids it's cool to be kind

Martin Snapp, Contra Costa Times - January 17, 2013

The heart of the Children’s Theatre program: big kids being nice to little kids.

Read article