Schools, kindergartens, childcare centres and libraries across Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs are celebrating Children’s Book Week. The annual week, which this year runs from August 17-23, celebrates children’s literature. The theme for this year’s celebrations is ‘reading is magic. Jaidyn Kennedy asked librarians to share their favourite children’s books.
Moorabool librarian Sam Hartwig
What is your favourite children’s book?
The Wrong Book by Nick Bland. This is one of the first books I read to children at story time that ‘breaks the fourth wall’, it quickly became an instant favourite. The illustrations bring the book to life and it’s such a fun story that children of all ages will love. Also, a simple book week costume idea to dress up as Nicholas Ickle!
What’s one children’s book everyone should read?
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. A classic that has never been out of print since it’s release in the 1960’s. It introduces children to many themes such as the days of the week, different foods, counting and the life cycle of a butterfly. A must-have book for all children!
Lalor librarian Deb Fothergill
What is your favourite children’s book?
My favourite children’s book isThe Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson. It has so much to offer, great rhyming and key words that children remember and anticipate, ‘his eyes are orange, his tongue is black; he has purple prickles all over his (wait for a response from the crowd …) back’. It is a good opportunity to talk about imagination, we know he is not real but that’s OK. There is also a great message about problem solving and how a very little mouse can outsmart a big bad Gruffalo.
What is one children’s book everyone should read?
For me The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien is a wonderful read for an older child. It is an introduction to an amazing fantasy world with beautiful language and imagery, a lesson in friendship, honour and adventure.
Hobsons Bay librarian Georgia Ensor
What is your favourite children’s book?
Belonging by Jeannie Baker is one of my favourites (how could you ask a librarian to choose just one book? my head nearly exploded!). I like to read this book with children of all ages. Belonging is a wordless picture book so young children can ‘read’ the images and engage with the story at the same level as an older sibling who might notice deeper messages. I love the hopeful message that we can make a positive change to our community through the gradual re-greening of our suburbs.
What is one children’s book everyone should read?
Wilam: A Birrarung Story, written by Yarra Riverkeeper Andrew Kelly and Aboriginal Elder of the Wurundjeri people Aunty Joy Murphy. The book shares both the Indigenous and geographical story of Melbourne’s beautiful Yarra River – Birrarung. The detailed illustrations by Lisa Kennedy sparkle with life! The story invites readers to connect to Country and take time to stop, look and think about the living history around us. Books that are rooted in local places are really powerful as children feel connected to the story, especially when they spot the Westgate bridge!
Romsey Librarian Rae Good
What is your favourite children’s book?
I can’t decide on just one. I’m going with Slinky Malinky Early Bird by Lynley Dodd as a favourite for home use when my own children were smaller, as Slinky Malinky was very similar to our cat. And I love Let’s Get a Pup by Bob Graham for the diversity shown in the illustrations.
What is one children’s book everyone should read?
Again, very difficult to answer, but I really love Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox. The books I will be reading for story time during Children’s Book Week are early childhood book of the year nominees – The Concrete Garden by Bob Graham and One Little Duck by Katrina Germein and Danny Snell.
