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What's new for kids newsletter
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Hello and welcome to our final children's newsletter for 2023!

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Term 4 has arrived with so much in store!

Our regular storytime program is up and running with the addition of Saturday Storytimes at Croydon and Realm Libraries. A perfect opportunity for families that can’t make weekday storytime.

We would love you to have your say about storytimes next year, by participating in our online Storytime Survey.

Children’s Week (21 – 29 Oct) will be celebrated across the region this term, with some fun activities and events for children aged 0 – 12 years. 

Later in the year, be sure to look out for some Christmas themed activities and storytimes. It will be a magical way to wrap up the year!

Lastly, the BIG Summer Read will be back for 2023 with a new look. Be sure to follow us on social media to find out more! This is an entertaining challenge for children to help them engage with reading over the summer holidays.

We wish you all the best for the remainder of 2023. Thank you for being a part of Your Library, and as always, happy reading!

Emma Wallis

Manager of Children's Services

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Emma
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Storytime survey

Storytime survey:
Have your say!

Help us plan for Storytimes in 2024 by completing this quick survey before Sunday, 15 October 2023. 

Complete the survey now.

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Introducing...

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Saturday Storytimes

Every Saturday at 10:30am
Croydon & Realm Libraries
(during school terms)

Join us for stories, songs and rhymes (for ages 0-6 years) to support your child's development. Storytime helps your child develop early literacy skills and a lifelong love of books. It is also a special time to bond with your child. Sessions will run for 25 - 30 minutes, followed by an activity. More information

Saturday Storytime
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Children's Week 2023

Celebrate Children’s Week:
Sat 21 - Sun 29 October 2023 

This year's theme is "Children have the right to relax, play and to take part in activities they enjoy". Your Library will be hosting a variety of events during the week to celebrate, including our regular storytimes and children’s programs across the region.

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Planetarium at Realm Library
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Planetarium at Realm Library

Sat 21 October, 10am - 10:45am & 10:45am - 11:30am (Ages 5+ years)
and 11:30am - 12:15pm (Ages 7+ years)

Come celebrate Children's Week and float amongst the stars for one day only, in Realm Library's pop-up planetarium! Complete with 360 degree, space themed, immersive movies, the Science Discovery Dome will delight and fascinate children of all ages. FREE - Bookings required

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Lego Palooza
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LEGO - Palooza at Realm Library

Sat 21 October, 2pm - 4pm

Celebrate Children's Week with some fun LEGO challenges at Realm! Make a marble mini golf course or build a LEGO wrecking ball structure. Don't feel up to the challenge? Not a problem, there will be plenty of LEGO to play with and explore (Ages 2-12 years). Please note that LEGO Duplo will be available for younger children (18 months - 5 years).  FREE - Bookings required

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Lizard wizard
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Lizard Wizard at Montrose Library 

Fri 27 October, 10am - 11am + 11:30am - 12:30pm
Join the Lizard Wizard for a fun session about a variety of native animals. Over the one-hour session, participants will have the chance to hold, pat, and learn about the variety of native animals including snakes, lizards, sugar gliders, insects, and turtles! (Ages 2-12 years) Please note: One booking per child. Parents and caregivers will need to be in attendance for supervision, but don't need to book. More information

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Look out for more Children’s Week events in the coming weeks!

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Being The Mother You Want To Be

Being the mother you want to be

Tue 17 October, 10:30am - 11:30am 
Mooroolbark Library

Join Motherhood and Life Coach Louise East, from More to Mum, for a reassuring and empowering session about how to navigate all the pressure, opinions and expectations in motherhood, and focus on being the mother you want to be. 

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Learn tips to help you stop getting stuck in guilt and comparison mode. 
A light morning tea will be provided. Children under supervision are welcome at this event. FREE - Bookings required.

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Reading Buddies at Bayswater Library

Every Thursday during school terms, 4pm - 5pm 

Do you struggle helping your children with their home reader? Not sure how to help them choose what to read? Reading Buddies are here to help!
Parents/caregivers and their children will:
- Listen to stories
- Play games
- Read together
all supported by our volunteer Reading Buddy. 

Reading Buddies
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A small afternoon snack will be provided.
(For primary school aged children) FREE - no need to book! More information.

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Event highlights

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Toy, book and puzzle swap
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Toy, book and puzzle swap at Ferntree Gully Library

Mon 9 - Fri 13 October, 9am - 5pm & Sat 14 October, 10am - 1pm

Have you been left with toys, games and books in good condition that your children have grown out of, or are you looking for something new? Empty those toy boxes and bookshelves and bring them down to Ferntree Gully Library to swap with others. Donations will be accepted from Monday 2 October, or just bring them with you on the day. Any leftover goods will be donated to charity. FREE - no need to book!

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Sensory bags
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DIY Sensory Bags for your children at Realm Library

Mon 16 October, 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Sensory play can improve a child's language skills, social skills, fine motor skills, and more. Come along and learn how to make sensory bags for your child. These bags are a portable, inexpensive, no-mess, no-fuss option for sensory play, wherever you are. FREE - Bookings required

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Robo trains
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Coding with Robo Trains at Belgrave Library 

Mon 23 & 30 October, 4pm - 5pm
Learn coding basics by programming an electronic train to move efficiently around a train track.
Our new Smart Trains from Intelino are perfect for introducing kids to coding concepts, while still playing with trains! (Ages 6-10) FREE - Bookings required

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Happiness boxes
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Happiness Boxes at Realm Library

Sat 28 October, 2:30pm - 3:30pm

Get creative and celebrate the things that make you HAPPY, during Children's Week. Learn how to make a cool explosion box, full of things you love, like photos, notes, drawings and little objects from your life. (Ages 7-13 years) FREE - Bookings required

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Halloween Hullabaloo
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Halloween Hullabaloo at Rowville Library

Mon 30 October, 4pm - 5pm

Scream into the library after school for spooky stories, a mummy game and a library lolly hunt. Decorate a creepy basket to take Trick or Treating on Halloween. Wear a Halloween costume if you wish! (Ages 4-10 years) FREE - Bookings required

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Spooktacular
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Spooktacular Halloween Costume Parade and Scary Cookie Decorating at Ferntree Gully Library 

Tue 31 October, 5pm - 7pm
Calling all families...come dressed in your scariest costume and take part in our ghoulish parade! There will be prizes up for grabs, with several categories and different age groups. After the parade you can use the Halloween inspiration to decorate some scary cookies for a ghoulish treat. (All ages) FREE - Bookings required

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After school Christmas Craft
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After School Christmas Craft at Belgrave Library

Mon 4 & 11 December, 4pm - 5pm

It's time to get in the Christmas spirit! Why not join us for these fun crafting sessions?
We will be making some sparkly beaded ornaments and beautiful felt decorations. (Ages 8-12 years) FREE - Bookings required

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Please note:

Children aged 12 years and under must be accompanied by an adult for all activities.

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Click for more events!
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Special storytimes

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Gently Gently
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Gently Gently Storytime at Belgrave Library

Wednesdays during school terms, 9:30am - 10:30am

Join us for stories, songs and rhymes for children (aged 3-6 years). These storytimes are aimed at children who may find our regular storytimes overwhelming. Sessions run for 20 - 25 minutes, followed by an activity. Families and caregivers are welcome to stay afterwards to socialise in the children’s area. FREE - Bookings required

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Bilingual Storytime
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Bilingual Storytime 

German + English
Mon 9 October, 11am - 11:30am at Realm Library

Join Anne and Sarah for a bilingual storytime featuring stories and songs in both German and English. Sessions will run for 25-30 minutes, followed by an activity. (Ages 0-6 years) FREE - bookings not required.

Hakha Chin + English 
Fortnightly on Wednesdays  during school terms, 11am - 12pm at Croydon Library
Join Zing and Emma for a bilingual storytime featuring stories and songs in both Hakha Chin and English to support your child's development. Sessions will run for 25-30 minutes, followed by an activity. (Ages 0-6 years) FREE - bookings not required.

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Stringybark Festival Storytime
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Stringybark Festival Storytime

Sunday 15 October, 10am-4pm at the 
Stringybark Festival, Rowville Community Centre, 40 Fulham Road, Rowville
We're all going to Stringybark Festival! Come and visit Bernadette, Melissa, Michelle, Penny and Rusty Arnold, for stories and craft in the library tent. (All ages) FREE - bookings not required.

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Storytime in the park
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Storytime in the park at Ferntree Gully Library 

Join us for stories, songs and rhymes as we head outside for a special storytime in the park! 

Family Storytime
Tue 14 November, 11am - 11:45am
(Ages 0-6 years) FREE - Bookings required

Tiny Tots Storytime
Tue 14 November, 2pm - 2:30pm

(Ages 0-12 months) FREE -Bookings required

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story box library

Staff picks on Story Box Library

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Where the Lyrebird Lives by Vikki Conley
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Where the lyrebird lives

Author: Vikki Conley

Illustrator: Max Hamilton

Read by: Roby Favretto

Reviewer: Melissa, Children's Services Officer - Ferntree Gully Library

Review: As someone who was born and raised in the Dandenong Ranges, and with a love for our beautiful forests and wildlife, I feel a strong connection to the beauty found in this book. It is a lovely story about forests like ours, and the amazing Lyrebird. Roby Favretto and the life-like sounds, really bring the forest and wildlife to the listener, no matter where you are!

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Jigsaw: A Puzzle in the Post by Bob Graham
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Jigsaw: a puzzle in the post

Author: Bob Graham

Illustrator: Bob Graham

Read by: Roby Favretto

Reviewer: Emma, Manager of Children's Services 

Review: This one was a favourite for my son and his friends for the CBCA Book Week awards because they love how as the reader, we KNOW where the missing puzzle piece is, but we can’t tell the family in the story! Will they find the missing piece? You will have to watch and see.

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My Strange Shrinking Parents by Zeno Sworder
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My strange shrinking parents

Author: Zeno Sworder

Illustrator: Zeno Sworder

Read by: Trystan Go

Reviewer: Emma, Manager of Children's Services

Review: The Winner of the CBCA Book Week Picture Book of the Year, this is a beautiful, heartbreaking story about the sacrifices parents make for their children. Zeno’s illustrations are stunning; there is so much detail to marvel at on every page!

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Visit Story Box Library
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Top reads for kids!

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Australia Country of Colour by Jess Racklyeft
Bush tucker counting by Maureen Glover
I am Wriggly by Michael Rosen
Glow : the wild wonders of bioluminescence
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Four eyes by Rex Ogle & Dave Valeza
Cat on the run by Aaron Blabey
The Champ vs the Werewolf Warriorz by Anh Do
Food wise by Lucy Bell & Lucy Leonardi
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Check out more great reads
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