Library News

Book Week

Book Week runs from the 20-26th August this year and we have lots of things happening.   Each year since 1945 the CBCA (Children's Book Council of Australia) has brought children and books together across Australia through CBCA Book Week. During this time schools and public libraries spend one glorious week celebrating books and Australian children's authors and illustrators. Established with the first awards in 1946, the annual CBCA Book of the Year Awards aim to: promote quality literature for young Australians; support and encourage a wide range of Australian writers and illustrators of children's books and; celebrate contributions to Australian children's literature.There are many categories where the books are shortlisted and then the winner is announced at the beginning of Book Week.

The categories are:

• Early Childhood
• Best Picture Book
• New Illustrator
• Younger Reader
• Older Reader; and
• Information Book

We are busy reading the books at school and doing activities so we can't wait for the winners to be announced.

Below are the books in the Early Childhood Category. We have especially love Walk of the Whales and Jetty Jumping.

Book Fair

During the week Reader's Companion from Armidale will be supplying our Book Fair. This is a great opportunity to purchase fantastic quality books and to help a local bookseller. I will post times later but there will be plenty of time to purchase as I will open before school, after school, and at lunchtime on specific days. Readers Companion also gives us a commission so you are helping our school as well. For those parents who like to read we will be looked after as well.

Donated Books

Books are very expensive and our library has great quality of books, so during the week I also ask parents to donate books to the library. These books have already been purchased and are books that we need. To purchase a book all you need to do is select one from the pile I wish to be donated. Prices of books will be $10, $15, and $20. Of course, this is voluntary.

Dress Up Day

As the theme for Book Week is "Dreaming with Eyes Open' we thought it would be appropriate for children to dress in their pyjamas for the day Thursday 25th August.

Reading by Torchlight

 Later that day the children can then come back to read with their parents via torchlight. Bring your own torch from home! There will be stations around Mackillop where children can read with their parents. Book Fair will also be open during this time. 5.30pm - 7.00pm. You do not have to stay the whole time. Pop in, read a book, visit the fair and enjoy Book Week!

Premier's Reading Challenge

Many children have told me they have completed the Challenge. Congratulations to all that have completed it. It is a wonderful achievement. The children will still have until the 28th August to complete the challenge so please encourage your child/children to read so they could earn themselves a certificate. Don't forget to remind your children to come and tell me that they have finished and I can add them to the wall.