Book Week uncovers the magic of reading

Children’s Book Week is here, and Cairns Libraries are ready to throw a magical book party.

This year’s theme, Reading is Magic, celebrates the power of stories to transport children’s minds to new worlds and adventures.

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden emphasised the importance of reading aloud and sharing stories with young children, highlighting its crucial role in developing literacy skills and helping them learn about the world around them.

“We know that children learn words and language from listening and engaging in stories, songs and conversations,” Cr Eden said.

“Stories can help children understand emotions and feelings, and even deal with new experiences, such as starting school or visiting the dentist for the first time.

“For parents and carers, reading with a child can be a treasured time and an activity that can create lifelong memories – there is something special about watching a child’s face light up with delight as they read along to their favourite story.

“Of course, in line with this year’s theme, Reading is Magic, books are also amazing in sparking the imagination as children picture characters and events from the words on the page.”

To make Childrens Book Week 2024 unforgettable, Cairns Libraries is hosting a series of free family friendly events this week:

Dress Up Storytime: Come in costume and let your imagination run wild! Visit your local library from 10am on the following dates:

Books and Bubbles Show: An enchanting show with stories and bubbles galore at Smithfield Library on Tuesday 20 August from 10am. Watch local performer Bugzy Bumblebee weave a fantastical story with a live reading of her book, Joy in Every Bubble.

Author Talk: Join ACR Creative authors at Stratford Library on Tuesday 20 August at 10am for a special reading of stories written and illustrated by ACR Creative authors. Spend the morning crafting your own character to become part of the books as part of the "There's More to the Story" event.

Author Talk: Meet Sarah Mallen, the author of Zozo the Zebra Finds Her Sparkle, at City Library on Wednesday 21 August at 10am. Zozo the Zebra Finds Her Sparkle is the heart-warming tale of a unicorn on a journey of self-discovery, celebrating the magic of kindness and the uniqueness that makes each of us extraordinary.

Author Talk: Join author Chantal Munro at Earlville Library on Thursday 22 August at 10am, for a reading of an environmental fairytale, Tickle Touch. Chantal will also share an example of play through face painting and storytelling.

Author Talk: Local author Steven Gill will be at the Gordonvale Library on Friday 23 August at 10am for a special storytelling session. Steven will read from his book, Busy Izzy’s Big Book, which follows the adventures of Izzy, a clever girl with a big imagination. Izzy is on a journey in her homemade rocket ship intent on rescuing her friend, a baby raptor.

Cairns Libraries invites everyone to embrace the magic of reading by dressing up during Children’s Book Week and participating in First 5 Forever sessions themed around Reading is Magic.

For more details, visit the Cairns Libraries website (www.cairns.qld.gov.au/library) and the Facebook page.