“Youth does not require reasons for living, it only needs pretexts.”

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Inky's Shortlist

Have you been following the Inky Awards nominations?
The nominations have been cast and the shortlist have been drawn.
Now you get to decide who gets the Golden and Silver Inky.

The shortlist

Town, James Roy
My brother Kimlan works all night fixing the road. He wears a shirt that reflects the light from the cars. The boss man says that if he does not wear that shirt, no one will be able to see him unless he smiles.

Tales from Outer Suburbia, Shaun Tan
It's funny how these days, when every household has its own intercontinental ballistic missile, you hardly even think about them.

A Brief History of Montmaray, Michelle Cooper
Officially, the head of our household is Uncle John, who is Aunt Charlotte's brother and Veronica's father (and the King of Montmaray), but he's rather distracted on his good days, and downright alarming on his bad ones.

Genesis, Bernard Beckett
…the only thing the population had to fear, was fear itself. The true danger humanity faced during this period was the shrinking of its own spirit.

Boy Toy, Barry Lyga
It was like watching the mating rituals of retarded birds, clumsily stepping the wrong patterns around each other over and over again.

Before I Die, Jenny Downham
I sit up and switch on the bedside light. There's a pen, but no paper, so on the wall behind me I write, I want to feel the weight of a boy on top of me.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

School Holiday Fun

Click on the thumb nail to download the school holiday activities flyer.
Call the library to book on 9716 1810 or email me on alexanderm@ashfield.nsw.gov.au for more information.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Spring has Sprung - and I hope you can keep up!

Ok, this is a big season, take a big breathe and then read on!

Winner: The Peasant Prince Competition
Luke R, 4 years old from Summer Hill for his review of Ziba came on a boat by Liz Lofthouse, illustrated by Rob Ingpen "When I look at the paintings it makes me feel I'm on the boat and even in the waves, hanging on to the edge of the boat. The waves are splashing me, too. When I see Ziba and her family eating, I feel like Im eating with them. It is sad and scary to see them run from bad guys and guns. I hope they come to Australia on that boat.

Teddy Tales Picnic - Thursday 18 September 2008
Ashfield Library and Summer Hill Community Centre invite you to bring your bear for a Teddy Tales Picnic on Thursday, 18 September 2008 at Darrell Jackson Gardens (next to Summer Hill Community Centre, 131 Smith Street, Summer Hill).
Bring a picnic lunch to share with your teddy. Stories and fun begin at 1.30-2.30pm followed by a bear hunt at 2.30pm.
Please RSVP by Tuesday 16 September 2008 on 02 9716 1810. Down load Flyer.

October School Holiday Fun
Get crafty and creative this school holidays, let your imagination run riot, and visit your library!

Page to Stage Workshop
Join Monkey Baa in looking at how you can adapt a story for the stage, and have fun with improvisation, movement and drama games. For teens between 8-11 years Bookings essential, limited places.
1pm Friday 03 October Graham Yarroll Room above the Haberfield Library.

“Millie Jack and the Dance” Drama Play Workshop
Join Monkey Baa and be delighted with this magical exploration of drama through games, storytelling and fairytales. Ages 5-7 years. Booking essential with limited places.
10am Friday 03 October Graham Yarroll Room above the Haberfield Library.

Creative Beading Workshop
Come design and make your own unique jewellery to reflect your unique personality. Booking essential with limited places. Strictly for ages 12+
3pm Friday 10th Oct Graham Yarroll Room above the Haberfield Library
3pm Wednesday 08 Oct Ashfield Library

Imaginitis Pyjama Storytime
When everyone catches ‘imaginitis’, who knows where these tall tales will take you! Wear your Pyjamas; bring your favourite Teddy and friends for supper, stories and songs. Children of all ages welcome. No Bookings Required.
6pm Tuesday 07 October Ashfield Library

Twisted Tales Storytime
Why do they always pick on the poor wolf? Has anyone seen that naughty Goldilocks? And what is that smell! Come for stories, songs and morning tea. 0-8 year olds. No Bookings Required.
11am Wednesday 01 October Haberfield Library
11am Thursday 02 October Ashfield Library
11am Wednesday 08 October Haberfield Library
11am Thursday 09 October Ashfield Library

Chinese Storytime
Come for stories, poems, craft and fun for 0-8 year olds. No Bookings Required
11am Friday 03 October Ashfield Library

Kids Author Talk: DEBORAH ABELA
Date: Friday 28th November, 2008
Time: 10am arrival, talk 10.15am till 11am
Venue: Ashfield Council Chambers

Author of the fantastically popular “Max Remy Super SpySeries and “Jasper Zammit Soccer Legend” is coming along to share some of her stories and adventures with us. Ideal for kids in grades 4 to 7.
Living Languages Carnival
Ashfield Carnival of Cultures is coming up on Sunday 12 October 2008
The Carnival will be back to Ashfield Park. This family and community celebration attracts up to 20,000 visitors from Ashfield, the Inner West and beyond. So join us again to celebrate "Living Languages".

I told you to take a deep breathe. There is so much coming up in the next few weeks I think I will need a holiday, O' that's right these are the school holidays.

Children's Book Week

Children’s Book Week is celebrated right across Australia, from Hobart to Broome. This year we at Ashfield celebrated with many storytelling events, with preschools, primary schools and even babies. Children’s Book Week is all about celebrating stories, those found in books and those we make ourselves.

The Winning Picture Book this year “Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley” is about two unlikely best friends, a typical tale of childhood. I know every child in ashfield has many stories to tell, and who know's, one day we may see them published.

On the afternoon of August 22nd Clr Ted Cassidy, Mayor of Ashfield, announce the winners of the StoryCraft and Colouring Competitions to a crowded Haberfield Library. The Mayor congratulate every child who participated and, that afternoon awarded over 100 prizes.
The Colouring Competition received over 700 entries, and every participant has had a certficate forwarded to their school. The StoryCraft competition invited years 4-12 to submit a creative storyline in a unique way, pictorial and graphic works were encouraged. Of all the wonderful tales received we could not pick 3 winners, it was just to hard! So the following 4 winners will receive a $50 Music or Book Voucher.

Raymond W.
Terrell H.
Ricky V.
Desmond C.

I encourage you to drop into your library and have a look at many of the entries on display in the children’s area.