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.

Is there a book you want?

Requests taken!!!
Don't forget, if there happens to be a book (or CD or DVd or Sound recording) you want, and we dont have it yet, let me know! The library does take requests, and if we cant buy it, we will borrow it for you... yes libraries borrow from libraries (we are all connected in library-land).

So if you have been hanging for Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Book 3 Brisinger or can't wait for that librarian to get around to picking up Stephenie Meyer's Breaking Dawn, or Melina Marchetta's new On the Jellicoe Road, send in a request to my email (or on paper in the library) and don't forget your name and library card number or I can't set it aside for you.

Melina is our next Kids Authors @ Ashfield author talk. So if you want to come along and meet her, you can and it's free.

Check out an interview with Melina on Insideadog

July New Books (and other stuff)

Woohoo! It's a new year!
Financial year that is, with a shiny new budget and lots more money to spend on books, toys, DVD's and music etc, etc. Talking about spending, the July new Books list is up have a squizze. If your into real life stories and reality (that's non fiction for you library types) we are experiencing a tidal wave of new titles. From stuff on Vivaldi (a classical muscician), a book called "Why should I eat this carrot?" a very informative read, stuff on "Australia’s Air Force "and Navy, if your interested in animals and nature, what about "Venom" or "Cockroach’s night out" or if your into the heavy stuff "It’s a climate for change".

There are still some new good stories of course!

Leaving Barrumbi by Leonie Norrington is a new talking book (CD to listen to, a book with no reading!) The author spent much of her childhood on a remote community, growing up among aboriginal people who live in the traditional way, and she has brought many of these experiences into this beautiful story. The sequel to The Barrumbi kids and The Spirit of Barrumbi, this story see’s Dale start boarding School. Many challenges face Dale, finding his place in ‘white’ society, making new friends, and staying connected to his family and community – no wonder Dale doesn’t know who he is anymore! This story is 7 ½ hours long and is read in a fashion that will engage with adults and children alike. This book is listed on the Children’s Book Council 2008 shortlisted, and it deserves an award, it is a great story to read or hear.

Clay’s Way by Blair Mastbaum
The reviews screamed “A gay Catcher in the Rye”, “trilling, sexy, terrifying” and it was voted 2005 “Book for the Teen Age” by the New York Public Library. What can I say; it came highly recommended, so then why was I disappointed? I found the push and pull between Clay and Sam the duo-protagonists to be scary and disturbing; I couldn’t stand either of them, let alone like them. Set in the sun and the surf of Hawaii, Mastbaum must be congratulated for achieving a dark and twisted tale that delves into the teen psyche to perturb the readers mind. That said it is a good read, it held me and I just had to finish it, I wasn’t happy at the end, but did I really want a Disney ending, definitely not.

Win a copy of the Peasant Prince!
To win a copy of The Peasant Prince, tell us in 50 words or less about a picture book or illustrator that has moved you. Submit your entry at the library desk by 24 Sept 08.

Erak’s Ransom wins the Australian Book Industry Award: Book of the Year for Older Children. A Spokes woman from the RHA said 'Sales for Australian series Ranger’s Apprentice have topped over 1 million copies worldwide. The adventure, humour and friendship of the Ranger’s Apprentice series is clearly resonating with fans across the world. With more books in the series and a major film deal struck with United Artists films and writer-director Paul Haggis, Random House Australia is looking forward to the continuing success of this series.'

Madeline and Milia

I would like to welcome Madeline and Milia to the Ashfield (they are here every day for a week the poor things) for their work experience. You can check out what they are getting upto this week on their blogs. Madeline's Blog and Milia's Blog.

You can leave messages or comments on their blogs.

If you think you may one day like to work in a Library, check out the Workplace Learning Blog and see how you can do work experience here at the Ashfield Library with us.

Going Tribal: July School Holiday Fun

Feel the jungle beat this July as we go tribal at the Ashfield and Haberfield Libraries. Download the flyer here.

Shekere Beats Drumming Workshop
Ideal for 6-16 year olds, get into the beat with this tribal drumming workshop.
Date: 2pm Wednesday 16 July

Venue: Graham Yarroll Room above the Haberfield Library.

Henna Tattooing Workshop
For ages 10+ who want to learn the art of Henna and have some fun. Booking Essential with limited places
Date: 3pm Wednesday 9 July

Venue: Wattle Room Level 2, above Ashfield Library.

Jungle Drums Pyjama Storytime
Wear your Pyjamas, bring your favourite Teddy and friends for supper, stories and songs. Children of all ages welcome. No Bookings Required.
Date: 6pm Tuesday 15 July

Venue: Ashfield Library

Savanna Storytime
Stories, poems, craft and fun
for 0-10 year olds. No Bookings Required.
Sessions:

11am Wednesday 09 July @ Haberfield Library
11am Thursday 10 July @ Ashfield Library
11am Wednesday 16 July @ Haberfield Library
11am Thursday 17 July @ Ashfield Library

Please contact the Children's Librarian for more information and bookings on 9716 1827.