The titles of nex year’s books that will be given to Victorian prep students as part of the state government’s library bag program have been revealed.
To help build a love of reading and learning, each student will receive five specially chosen books:
A Crocodile in the Family – written by Kitty Black and illustrated by Daron Parton
Walk of the Whales – written and illustrated by Nick Bland
Bernie Thinks in Boxes – written by Jess Horn and illustrated by Zoe Bennett
Koala Ark – written and illustrated by Stephen Michael King
No Way Yirrikipayi! – by children from Milikapiti School, Melville Island, with Alison Lester
To make sure every young student can enjoy the stories, the books will also be produced in Braille, with tactile illustrations by the Statewide Vision Resource Centre – supporting students who are blind or have low vision.
Research has shown how important it is for parents and carers to regularly read aloud to young children, particularly as they prepare to move from kinder to primary school and adjust to the next important phase in their life.
Premier Jacinta Allan said by reading together, families can help kids to expand their vocabulary, make connections between spoken and written words, and strengthen the bond they share with their children.
“Our family loves reading together – and when the kids were younger, books like The Magic Beach and The Very Hungry Caterpillar were on high rotation,” she said.
“With a Prep Bag full of books, we’re helping families find some new favourites and encouraging more young Victorians to discover a love of reading.”
Each year, all books in the Prep Bags are selected by literacy experts – which this year including a current Children’s Book Council of Australia judge, Prep teachers and a librarian.
