Macedon Ranges libraries are celebrating Children’s Book Week.
Storytime sessions during Book Week will include CBW winning books as well as a special activity for kids to take part in at the end of the session.
Families can get involved by coming along in costume and bringing in their favourite book to share with staff.
Staff can also assist families to help find that special book to go along with their dress up theme as well.
Georgia Tacey asked librarians Olivia Evans and Karen Madsen share how they’re celebrating the special week.
What’s your favourite children’s book and why?
Olivia: I have a few favourites but the children’s book I enjoy reading and sharing with our Storytime families the most is ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ by Eric Carle, which is what inspired my book week costume this year.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a fun, colourful story with a good message behind it; embracing transformation and change is an exciting opportunity even when it feels scary, as well as making better choices when it comes to what we eat when we’re hungry (gorging ourselves on junk food will give you a tummy ache!).
I’ve always liked this quote by Erice Carle, sharing his thoughts on the book’s popularity: ” I believe most children can identify with the helpless, small, insignificant caterpillar, and they rejoice with it when it turns into a beautiful butterfly. It is an affirmation to all children. It says: I too can grow up. I, too, can unfold my wings and fly into the world. I think it’s this message of hope”.
Karen: One Little Duck – Katrina Germein
I really love this book because it is a lovely take on “5 little ducks”. It has lots of repetition and brings in lots opportunity for interaction and noisy fun as a whole gang of different animals follow the duckling home.
Ducks Away! By Mem Fox
Another duck book I love to read aloud. Lots of fun and suspense as the ducklings all end up in the river, leaving mother duck behind.
What do you love about book week?
Olivia: I love that book week is an opportunity for children and adults to dress up as their favourite fictional characters and just be a little fun and silly together.
I had such a fun time creating my costume (with a lot of help from my friend Helen) and using elements from the book to make a costume that I hope will bring joy to others.
I’m very much looking forward to seeing the different costumes created this year and the books that have inspired them.
Karen: I love any chance to dress up! But seeing all of our younger library users hunting for books and characters they would love to dress up as is a highlight.
