Party alert! Win awesome kids' books to celebrate our birthday!📚 🎉

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Hello and welcome to our first children's newsletter for 2024!

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It’s great to have you here for another amazing year of playing, reading, and having fun. Our children’s newsletter is celebrating its 1st birthday 🎉🎂 this month ! To celebrate this milestone, we're giving one lucky subscriber the chance to win a fabulous book prize for kids. If this newsletter has arrived in your inbox, we've entered you into the draw automatically!

The BIG Summer Read concluded on Wednesday, 31 January. A BIG thank you to all who participated this year! If you completed a paper reading journal, make sure you return it to your local branch by Monday, 5 February, to go into the draw for the Your Library prize. Stay tuned to our Facebook page to find out who won!

Our regular Storytime program is up and running! The children’s librarians can’t wait to see you again. Make sure to check out our Storytime page or pick up a schedule at your local branch to keep up to date.

Our Easter school holiday program will be here before you know it! Follow us on Facebook to get the latest news and to view our program. Bookings will open Saturday, 23 March at 12pm (midday), and can be made online or at any branch (in person or by phone).

Enjoy the rest of summer. Stay safe, stay hydrated, and keep on reading!

Emma Wallis

Manager of Children's Services

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Storytime is back!

We are delighted to share more stories, songs, and rhymes with you this year. Be sure to check out the updated Storytime schedule as some sessions have changed. Gently, Gently Storytimes, Chinese Storytimes, and our fortnightly bilingual English and Hakha Chin Storytimes have also returned for 2024.

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Saturday Storytimes return to Realm Library at 10:30am, during school terms. Join us for stories, songs and rhymes (for ages 0-6 years) to support your child's development. Sessions will run for 25 - 30 minutes, followed by an activity. FREE - no need to book.

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Fun for kids

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B is for Bravo:
diorama exhibition

Tue 16 January - Fri 15 March,
Miller's Homestead
(during opening hours)

Miller’s Homestead presents an exhibition of the dioramas that Kevin Burgemeestre used to illustrate his children's book, B is for Bravo.

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B is for Bravo celebrates 100 years of aviation and introduces children to the phonetic alphabet, a system of words that communicate call signs. Visit the house on Friday afternoons from 4pm-5pm, to view videos of Kevin creating his wonderful dioramas from recycled materials. (All ages) FREE - bookings not required.

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Creative Kids Corner at Bayswater Library

Every Tuesday 4pm-5pm (during school terms)
Relax and connect with others at this exciting after-school club! Enjoy a wide range of activities including art, craft, coding and LEGO fun! We will be doing something new each week. (Ages 5-12 years). Siblings are welcome - an easier activity will be offered. A light afternoon snack will be provided. FREE - Bookings required

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Come and play at Croydon Library

Every Saturday, 10:30am-12:30pm

Drop in and join us for a fun playtime session! Have fun playing with your little one and meeting other families. Through play, children learn about the world, build language skills and develop their imagination and creativity. (Ages 0-6 years) FREE - no need to book!

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Taylor Swift friendship bracelet making at Ferntree Gully Library

Tue 13 + Wed 14 February, 4pm-5pm

Missed getting tickets to the Taylor Swift concert? Swifties get ready! Don't miss out on this afterschool activity where we will make our own Taylor Swift friendship bracelets for trading or sharing with friends, while listening to Taylor Swift songs. (Ages 8-14 years) FREE - Bookings required

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Digital music at Belgrave Library

Mon 4 March, 4pm-5pm

Join us for this special after school event and create some digital music with Noah! (Ages 6-13 years) FREE - Bookings required

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Celebrate Cultural Diversity Week at Realm Library

18 March - 24 March 2024
Join us at Realm Library for a fun week of themed storytimes celebrating Cultural Diversity Week. FREE - no need to book!

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Decorate your own Easter bucket at Realm Library

Wed 27 March, 4pm-4:30pm + 4:30pm-5pm

Come and decorate your very own Easter bucket for stashing your treats in. We will supply the buckets and decorations for you to create something fun and unique. (Ages 5-12 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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Baby massage at Belgrave Library

Fri 16 February, 11am-12pm
Deepen the connection with your little one through the art of baby massage. This session will cover gentle leg and arm strokes, as well as explore various holds and exercises designed to alleviate discomfort from gas and colic. All essentials, including towels and oil, will be provided (Ages 0-1 year) FREE - Bookings required

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Get a head start on prep - 1000 Books Before School

We are excited to continue offering the 1000 Books Before School program this year. It's a great motivation for you and your child to find opportunities in your day to read together. Whether it is before bed, in the bath, or even the same book that was read 20 times earlier that day, it all counts towards the goal of 1000 books!

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Receive rewards when you reach milestones and have the support of library staff to help you find the perfect book for you and your child. Don't forget, books read at Storytime count towards your goal. Get started now!

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Biddy Ball basketball programs - The Rings

Maroondah Leisure’s The Rings in Ringwood has exciting junior basketball programs running during the school term for children aged 3 to 12 years. The Biddy Ball programs are an ideal way to introduce children to the basics of basketball or help them hone their skills with experienced coaches.

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Kids can improve hand-eye coordination, flexibility, agility and balance at their own pace with a full range of tailored programs:

• Biddy Ball Intro for 3 - 5 years
• Biddy Ball Skills for 5 - 12 years (mixed group, girls only, or all abilities group designed for children with disabilities)
• Biddy Ball Play for 6 - 9 years (recommended to have had two terms of Biddy Ball Skills first)

Programs run from Monday 29 January 2024 (Fees apply) - more information.

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Staff recommend:

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Lote4Kids

A great free resource for children aged 3 – 8 years, designed to help learn or practice a new language, in a fun and engaging way. There are over 50+ languages offered and over 2000 picture books to choose from. Each book is fully animated and narrated, with English or LOTE subtitles. All you need is your library member number and internet access to get started!

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Online safety for under 5s

Children are online more than ever, and it’s important to be aware of how to keep children safe online. The eSafety Early Years booklet is an excellent free resource from the Australian eSafety Commissioner, to support children and their families with online safety.

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The booklet highlights key online safety issues for children 0 – 5 years, and offers practical advice and strategies for parents/caregivers in supporting their children. Pick up a booklet at your local branch while stocks last or download a copy now.

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