Dress up for Book Week events in local libraries

Redland City Council Library staff will be dressing as their favourite book characters and encouraging visitors to do the same during Children’s Book Week from 19 to 25 August 2023.

Mayor Karen Williams said Book Week was always a special time at council libraries.

“This year’s theme is ‘Read. Grow. Inspire’ and our libraries will have an amazing line-up of regular baby, toddler and children’s programs,” Cr Williams said.

“It’s never too early to start reading to your children or engaging them with storytelling, which helps to build their language skills and exposes them to new worlds.

“Each of the free Book Week events at our libraries will focus on beloved classics both new and old, from Macca the Alpaca to The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and program facilitators are busily preparing their costumes to match each featured book.

“Our library staff are known for their inventive costumes each year and we are encouraging children and parents to dress up as their favourite characters as well, ensuring our libraries will be buzzing with fun during Book Week.”

Cr Williams said two exciting Book Week events would feature Australian children’s book authors.

“Award-winning Redlands Coast-based author Michelle Worthington will visit Victoria Point Library with her special blend of music, dance and storytelling,” she said.

“Michelle embodies the First 5 Forever approach to literacy – talk, read, sing and play together every day – that informs our popular Baby Time and Toddler Time programs.

“Celebrated Brisbane-based author Alison McLennan will visit Cleveland Library for a singalong, story time and craft session.”

A special Book Week session will also be held at the Pop-Up Library in Mount Cotton Community Park.

For more information on all Book Week events being held in Redland City Council libraries, visit the Libraries What’s On webpage.

To celebrate Children’s Book Week, Redland City Mayor and Councillors share their favourite books from childhood:

Mayor Karen Williams: One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish by Dr Seuss. I loved rhymes and Dr Suess nailed it for me as a young child. I literally wore the cover off the book and still have it and read it to my granddaughters.

Cr Wendy Boglary: Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery – Anne was full of spirit and I enjoyed her character and adventures. I remember, while reading the book, being able to visualise the beautiful countryside where the stories were written about Green Gables.

Cr Peter Mitchell: Richard Scarry’s Great Big Schoolhouse – lots of animal characters but I loved the character Lowly Worm the best.

Cr Paul Golle: Cockleshell Heroes by C E Lucas Phillips – a story of the British special boat service in World War II.

Cr Lance Hewlett: The Three Billy Goats Gruff – I loved the excitement and thrill of the goats trying to get past the Troll without being eaten.

Cr Mark Edwards: While I don’t have a recommendation from my childhood, I really enjoyed sharing The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle with my daughter; it was her favourite bedtime story.

Cr Julie Talty: By the time I was 14, I had read every novel written by Agatha Christie, many more than once, and my favourite was The Man in the Brown Suit.

Cr Rowanne McKenzie: My favourite childhood book was the 19th century novel Black Beauty by Anna Sewell. The easy-to-read, first-horse narrative created in me a love for these beautiful creatures and an even deeper love of reading.

Cr Tracey Huges: I loved Enid Blyton’s Magic Faraway Tree series and then loved sharing the series with my own children. I loved and can still remember the characters that lived in the tree and the excitement of the lands that visited.

Cr Adelia Berridge: My favourite book was Grimms’ Fairy Tales. I was fascinated with the life of the characters and their names, such as Rumpelstiltskin.

Cr Paul Bishop: The one that sticks with me the most is Dr Seuss’ Oh, The Places You’ll Go! This book is a reminder to live with care, kindness and tact – for life indeed is a great balancing act and yes, you will succeed! (98 and 3/4 per cent guaranteed)