Stig Wemyss to launch Burdekin Library Summer Reading Club

Australia’s most loved audio book narrator Stig Wemyss will have children in fits of laughter when he visits four local schools as part of the Burdekin Library Summer Reading Club and Bolinda BorrowBox launch next week.

In addition to writing the popular The Tripp Diaries series, Wemyss is the narrator behind hundreds of audiobooks, including the Tashi series and countless Andy Griffiths, Paul Jennings and Tim Winton tales.

Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin said the cleverly irreverent Wemyss will visit Home Hill State High School, East Ayr State Primary School, Ayr State Primary School and St Colman’s Primary School to encourage students to develop a lifelong library habit.

“We know that children often lose academic gains over the summer holiday break because they do not keep up their reading and learning. The Summer Reading Club tries to curb that ‘summer slide’ by showing that reading and engaging with libraries can and should be fun,” Cr McLaughlin said.

“Stig will also officially launch the Bolinda BorrowBox system, which Burdekin Shire Council introduced in September this year. Through this online platform, Burdekin library members have access to more eBook and eAudiobooks titles than ever before, meaning there is something for everybody.”

Led by the State Library of Queensland, the Australian Summer Reading Club is an annual program that supports continued development of multi-literacy skills in children and young people, including reading, writing, creative arts and multimedia technology skills during the summer months.

Last year, nearly 70,000 children and young people took part in the library program, with more than 360,000 books read.

Children can take part in a number of activities, including blogging with authors Cameron Stelzer and Emma Middleton, creating an ending to Dave Lowe’s What Happens Next story starter, post book raves and artwork, log books and much more. Children can also enter the eight different competitions, with everything from book packs and iPads up for grabs.

Burdekin Shire Library Manager Alexis Adams said children can register for the free program at the Home Hill Branch and Burdekin libraries.

“When they sign up from 1 December, they not only unlock a world of adventure online, but they will also receive a goody bag filled with activity books, stickers and temporary tattoos.”

Children can also register online at www.summerreadingclub.org.au.

The Summer Reading Club runs from 1 December to 31 January 2019.