Ignite✨the wonder of stories...Children's Book Week is coming!

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Read online

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Hello and welcome!

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We’re halfway through 2023, and we have so much to share!

The Picture This! Comic Book Comp winners were announced during the winter school holidays. Well done to our winners and everyone who entered. The judges were so impressed with the quality of the art and stories!

We are heading towards one of the biggest weeks of the year – The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book Week! Our awesome children’s team will be celebrating by reading a selection of books on the shortlist at storytimes from August 19 – 25. You may even see a few winning books from previous years that we love so much! Love to dress up? Why not come along to storytime dressed as your favourite book character. Your storytellers may even dress up themselves!

Save the date:
Bookings for the spring school holiday program will open at 12pm (midday), Sat 9 September 2023. Keep an eye on our website and social media to browse the program during the first week of September.

Emma Wallis

Manager of Children's Services

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19-25 August is Children's Book Week!

We can’t wait for Children’s Book Week! Join us for a glorious week celebrating books and Australian children’s authors and illustrators at our storytimes across the week.

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Body Superheroes!
Body-safe session

Sat 15 July 10:30am - 11:15am
Realm Library

Join us at Realm, where the team from Level Playground will be running some simple body safety activities, and author Jayneen Sanders will join us to read some of her Little BIG Chats books about body safety and consent. (Ages 3-7) FREE - Bookings required

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Children's Team news

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The Children’s Team are excited to welcome another member to our team!

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Emma P. has recently joined the team at Croydon Library as a temporary Children’s Officer, and will work alongside Emma C., Croydon’s Children’s librarian. Emma P. will be running some storytimes and our new afterschool program, STEAM Powered Kids. A big welcome to Emma!

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A great big thank you, to Jasmin and Tamara, who ran all our children’s programs during Term 2 in Bernadette’s absence. It was wonderful to have them continue the fun and passion for reading, singing and playing!

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Ferntree Gully's toy & book swap returns!

Mon 7 - Sat 12 August, at Ferntree Gully Library (during opening hours)

Empty those toy boxes and bookshelves and bring the toys and books that your children are no longer excited about to Ferntree Gully Library and swap them for something new. Donations will be accepted from Monday 31 July, or just bring them with you on the day. Any leftover goods will be donated to charity. More information

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Introducing...

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A new family storytime at Yarra Junction Library

Every Monday during school terms, 10am - 10:30am (from 10 July)

Join us for stories, songs and rhymes to support your child's development. Storytime helps your child develop early literacy skills and a lifelong love of books. It is also a special time to bond with your child. Sessions will run for 25-30 minutes followed by an activity (Ages 0-6). FREE - no need to book!
More information

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Creative kids corner at Bayswater Library

Every Tuesday during school terms, 4pm - 5pm (from 18 July)
Relax and connect with others at our new and exciting after-school activity club. Enjoy a wide range of activities including art, craft, coding and LEGO fun! We will be doing something new each week. A light afternoon snack will be provided. Siblings are welcome (an easier activity will be offered). (Ages 5-12). FREE - Bookings required

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Reading Buddies at Bayswater Library

Every Thursday during school terms, 4pm - 5pm (from 13 July)
Do you struggle helping your children with their home reader? Not sure how to help them choose what to read? Reading Buddies are here to help!
Parents/caregivers and their children will:
- Listen to stories
- Play games
- Read together
all supported by our volunteer Reading Buddy. A small afternoon snack will be provided. (For primary school aged children). FREE - no need to book!
More information

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Fun for kids

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Minecraft fun at Rowville Library

Fortnightly on Mondays during school terms, 4pm-5pm

Come join our Minecraft club and play Minecraft Education - craft, create and learn while building a world together! Laptops will be provided for this event. (Ages 8-13) FREE - Bookings required

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STEAM-powered kids club at Croydon Library

Every Tuesday during school terms, 4pm-5pm

Join us for some Science, Tech, Engineering, Art and Maths (STEAM) based fun at Croydon Library's new and exciting after-school activity club. Plus, get into a wide range of activities including art, craft, coding, yoga and LEGO fun! We will be doing something new each week. (Ages 5-12) FREE - Bookings required

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Bilingual Storytime: Hakha Chin + English at Croydon Library

Fortnightly on Wednesdays during school terms, 11am - 12pm
Join Zing and Emma for a bilingual storytime featuring stories and songs in both Hakha Chin and English to support your child's development. Sessions will run for 25-30 minutes, followed by an activity. (Ages 0-6) FREE - no need to book! More information

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Preschool Storytime featuring author Karen Kepert at Realm Library

Thursday 20 July, 11am - 11:45am

Join us for a fun storytime with author Karen Kepert.
Karen is a retired literacy and numeracy teacher and school chaplain. She has published a children’s picture book, Scruffy and Silk, about a cat and dog with opposite personalities and their relationship with their owner. Karen shares with children that we’re all different and that’s okay. (Ages 3-6) FREE - no need to book! More information

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Afterschool Minecraft at Ferntree Gully Library

Fourth Thursday of the month, 4pm - 5pm
Come along to our Minecraft sessions at Ferntree Gully Library to make friends, learn new skills, and have fun. Each session will have a new challenge or game to enjoy. (Ages 8-12) FREE - Bookings required

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Please note:

Children aged 12 years and under must be accompanied by an adult for all activities.

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Click for more events!

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Get-togethers for little ones

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Cuddle and connect at Boronia Library

Every Monday during school terms, 9:30am-11:30am

Cuddle up with your little one, and join us for our special storytime at 10:00am, for gentle rhymes, songs, lullabies and stories.
You are welcome to enjoy a cuppa, and the company of fellow parents and parents-to-be, before and after our Storytime session. (Ages 0-4 months) FREE - no need to book. More information

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Little ones playgroup at Miller's Homestead

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Little Ones' playgroup and book chat at Miller's Homestead

Fortnightly on Wednesdays during school terms, 9:30am-10:30am
Get together with other parents of babies and children, to socialise, share knowledge, introduce your child to the wonderful world of children's literature, and support them on their literacy journey. Bring a blanket, a snack and book you have been reading at home to discuss with others. (Ages 0-2 years) FREE - Bookings required

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Staff picks on Story Box Library

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There's no such thing

Author: Heidi McKinnon

Illustrator: Heidi McKinnon

Read by: Captain Starlight

Reviewer: Michelle T. from Rowville Library

Review: A slightly scary, slightly silly story about Bear and Ted's first camping adventure. Is the forest filled with hungry giants, blood-sucking spiders and fire-breathing dragons? Of course not, there's no such thing! Or is there?

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Our Dreaming

Author: Kirli Saunders

Illustrator: Dub Leffler

Read by: Kirli Saunders

Reviewer: Chelsea from Knox Express

Review: This calm and gentle book shares the story of two echidnas walking through beautifully illustrated scenes of Australian nature, while talking about the meaning and wisdom found in the Dreamings of different nations and language groups, and learning about the Gundungurra language.

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What to say when you don’t know what to say – Auslan edition

Author: Davina Bell

Illustrator: Hilary Jean Tapper

Read by: Tamala Shelton & James Blyth

Reviewer: Emma W. from Admin

Review: I wish this book existed when I was a child, however, I’m grateful it exists now that I’m a parent. This is a beautifully illustrated book packed with a collection of phrases to use in all the wonderful, curious, awkward, frustrating, confusing, and devastating moments in life.

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