Spring has sprung: it's time for fun!😄🌻

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Hello and welcome to this year's final edition of 'What's New for Kids'

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What a bustling and enriching term it has been! Across our wonderful branches, we celebrated NAIDOC Week, explored species survival during Science Week, and embraced the magic of reading in the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s biggest week, Book Week! Many fabulous CBCA 2024 Shortlist books were shared inside the libraries and in our community.

Summer School Holiday Program
The festive season is just around the corner! Stay tuned for information about upcoming family-friendly activities. Our holiday program dates are set for 13 - 24 January, 2025. Bookings will open on Saturday, 4 January at 12 midday.

The BIG Summer Read
Summer is coming, and so is Public Libraries Victoria's BIG Summer Read, kicking off on Sunday, 1 December. This year, we'll be partnering with our amazing local community to offer even more exciting prizes for Your Library's BSR registered participants. We're thrilled to share the joy of reading with special BSR launch parties. Enjoy door prizes, plus, a limited-edition BSR launch activity pack - available only at our launch parties!

Comics Plus: read all the comics!
Discover the exciting world of digital reading with Comics Plus. With a vast selection of titles, there's something for every young reader. We've included some Comics Plus book recommendations in this newsletter to get you started. Share your favorite Comics Plus read with us, and we might even feature it in our next Children's e-newsletter!

Stay safe, happy, and wonderful during term 4, 2024.
We can't wait to see you at our upcoming events!

Melissa Bilston

Acting Manager of Children's Services

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Celebrate Maroondah Festival at Croydon Library!

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Sunday, 10 November from 10am to 4pm
Come and enjoy all the fun of the festival at Town Park and Civic Square, Croydon! While you're there, visit us at the library from 10am-5pm, for drop-in activities, games and a scavenger hunt, plus, three amazing events, including:

• 10:30am - Meet children's author, Meredith Costain (ages 5+)
• 12:30pm - Make your own zine with Melissa (all ages)
• 2:30pm - Meet children's author, George Ivanoff (ages 5+)

FREE - No need to book!

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Embrace Kids
- film screening

Embrace Kids is an uplifting documentary style film for school-aged children and their parent/s and carers. Author, speaker and body-image advocate, Taryn Brumfitt, Director of Embrace (2016), has brought together a vibrant collection of stories from young people and famous friends alike, sharing their experiences about body-image, bullying, advocacy, gender identity, representation and lots more.

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We are super excited to have the opportunity to share this important film at a number of Your Library locations, throughout October and November. The Embrace Kids film runs for 79 mins and is perfect for sharing with your young person. FREE (Ages 9-14 years) Bookings required

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Origami Jurassic Exhibition

Tue 10 Dec - Fri 28 Feb
Miller's Homestead
Combining dinosaurs and origami, this interactive exhibition by Vahid Sidegh will delight dinosaur lovers of all ages.

Stay tuned for some rawr-some workshops in the summer school holidays too! Visit anytime during opening hours. FREE (All ages). Bookings not needed.

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BIG Summer Read returns!
1 December - 31 January

Borrow. Read. Win!
The BIG Summer Read is a fun program that encourages children and teens (0-18 years) to keep up with reading over the summer period, and be in the running for BIG reading prizes! Attend our exclusive launch parties for a chance to win door prizes, plus, a limited-edition BSR launch activity pack! Keep an eye on our social media for all the details. Registrations open 1 December 2024.

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Fun for kids

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Minecraft

Fortnightly on Mondays,
4pm-5pm, Bayswater & Rowville Libraries

Last Thu of the month, 4pm-5pm, Ferntree Gully Library
Craft, create and learn while building a world together! During school terms. FREE (Ages 8-13 years) Bookings required

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LEGO fun

Fortnightly on Mondays, 4pm-5pm, Bayswater Library (Ages 5-18 years)

Weekly on Tuesdays, 4pm-5pm, Croydon Library (All ages)

4th Tue of the month, 4pm-5pm, Belgrave Library (All ages)
Meet other LEGO fans, build, play and put your LEGO skills to the test, or just do your own thing! During school terms. FREE Bookings required

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Creative kids corner

Every Tuesday, 4pm-5pm,
Bayswater Library

Relax and connect with others at Bayswater Library's exciting after-school activity club.
Join us for a wide range of activities including art, craft, coding and LEGO fun! We will be doing something new each week. Siblings are welcome (an easier activity will be offered). A light afternoon snack will be provided. During school terms. FREE (Ages 5-12 years). Bookings required

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After school STEAM

Every Tuesday, 4pm-5pm
Boronia Library

Join us for creative hands-on STEAM projects exploring science, technology, engineering, art and maths. Enjoy games and hear about some great books too! Something different every week! (Ages 6-12) FREE - During school terms. Bookings required

Monday 4 November, 4pm-5pm, Ferntree Gully Library
Join Laura for fun STEAM activities. (Ages 6-12) FREE
Bookings required

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Mad scientist Halloween Spooktacular

Tuesday 29 October, 5pm-7pm, Ferntree Gully Library
Come for an evening of Halloween fun for the whole family. There will be free raffle prizes for those who dress up and extra tickets for participating in the festivities! Dance-off at the Monster Mash Disco, and play games like the limbo and musical statues. Do the scavenger hunt and some spooky crafts, watch the Mad Scientist Magic Show at 6:30pm, and more! (All ages) FREE. Bookings not required.

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Halloween street party

Thursday 31 October, 4pm-7pm, Yarra Junction Library

Cire and Yarra Junction Library are joining other local businesses to celebrate Halloween!
Come to Yarra Junction Library to enjoy an afternoon of Halloween fun with storytimes, crafts, and a range of stalls and events in the library courtyard.
Book with Cire to get your show bag and find out where to collect your treats. (All ages) FREE

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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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Do you qualify for free home internet?

School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) is an Australian Government program offering FREE home internet to families and carers of school age students who are struggling with bills. The program aims to boost education opportunities and narrow the digital divide, by providing free nbn at home until 31 December 2025. To qualify, you must have a school aged student at home (full time or part time) enrolled in an Australian school.

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You must not have an active nbn network internet service at your current residential address now or in the past 14 days. You must live in a premise that can access the nbn network through a standard connection. Learn more or apply.

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Activities for Home Schooling families

Calling all home schooling families!
Come to Your Library for some fun activities, social time and games!

Knox Home Schooling Social Group
Knox Library | Ngarrgoo
2nd & 4th Thursday of the month, 1pm-3pm (All ages)
FREE - Bookings not required

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Ferntree Gully Home School events
Ferntree Gully Library
Wed 16 October, 10am-11am (Science-based STEM)
Wed 20 October, 10am-11am (Reading)
Wed 11 December, 10am-11am (Technology-based STEM)

(All ages) FREE - Bookings required

Home School social time
Ferntree Gully Library
Friday 25 October, 8 November & 6 December, 10:30am-12pm
Bring along any games or activities you would like to share.

(All ages) FREE - Bookings required

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Speechie talks at the library

Calling all parents!
Would you like to help your child develop their language and literacy skills? Speech pathologists work with children and families to help to build the foundations on which literacy skills develop and help support a healthy transition into literacy.

Come along to a 'speechie talk' presented by local speech pathologists at Belgrave, Croydon, Knox, Ferntree Gully, Miller's Homestead and Realm libraries.

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Find out more

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Special storytimes

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To Stir With Love: Storytime with the author, Kate Mildenhall

Tue 19 November, 11am-12pm,
Belgrave Library
Join multi-award-winning author, Kate Mildenhall (The Mother Fault; The Hummingbird Effect), at Belgrave Library for a very special storytime. She will be sharing her delightful new picture book, To Stir With Love: a heartwarming tale about grandmothers, celebrations, and the family bond created through food. FREE (Ages 3-6 years) Bookings not required.

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Storytime in the garden

Sun 20 October, 10:30am - 11:30am, Central Ringwood Community Centre Garden, 2 Rosewarne Lane, Ringwood
Join us at the Bedford Park Community Garden Open Day (located next to the Central Ringwood Community Centre) for garden-themed stories, songs and rhymes.
BYO snack and picnic rug. Weather pending, this will be an outdoor event within the Community Garden. FREE (Ages 0-6 years). Bookings not required.

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Halloween Hullaballoo storytimes at Rowville

Preschool storytime

Mon 28 October, 11am
(Ages 3-6)

Family storytime

Tue 29 October, 11am

(Ages 0-6)

Tiny Tots storytime

Tue 29 October, 2pm
(0-12 months)

Toddler storytime

Wed 30 October, 10:30am
(Ages 1-3)

Join us for slightly spooky stories, songs, rhymes and craft at our Rowville storytimes. Wear a Halloween costume if you wish! FREE Bookings not required.

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Spooky bedtime storytime

Wed 30 October, 6:30pm-7:30pm, Lilydale Library

Join us for spooky stories and rhymes to celebrate Halloween. Come dressed in your favourite spooky outfit. Look out for the creepy carrots hiding in the library and learn how to make a ghost glove. (Ages 0-6 years) FREE Bookings not required.

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Gender busting storytime

Mon 18 November, 2pm-3pm, Realm Library
Calling all families! Join us for a fun-filled storytime where we will promote gender equality and respectful relationships, and highlight that colours, toys, songs and books are for every child. The session will run for 25 - 30 minutes, followed by an activity.
Families and caregivers are welcome to stay afterwards to socialise in the children's area. FREE (Ages 0-6 years). Bookings required

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Miller's Homestead Christmas Extravaganza

Thu 12 December, 11am - 12pm, Miller's Homestead

Join us for a special festive storytime with Christmas songs, craft, and maybe even a visit from Santa himself! FREE (All ages) Bookings required

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Gently, Gently:
Sensitive storytime

Every Wednesday, 9:30am-10:30am, Belgrave Library These storytimes are aimed at children who may find our regular storytimes overwhelming. Sessions will run for 20 - 25 minutes, followed by an activity. Families and caregivers are welcome to stay afterwards to socialise in the children’s area. During school terms. FREE (Ages 3-6 years) Bookings required

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Storytime in Italiano

Thursdays, 10:15am-11:15am, Rowville LIbrary

Introduce the Italian language to your little ones with stories, songs, sensory games and craft. It's all in Italian! During school terms. FREE (Ages 0-6 years). Please email [email protected] to reserve your place.

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Chinese Storytime

Family Storytime
(Ages 0-6 years)
• Every 2nd Thursday, 11am-12pm, Bayswater Library
• Every 2nd Friday, 11am-12pm, Knox Library | Ngarrgoo and Realm Library

Tiny Tots Storytime
(0-12 months)
• Every 2nd Friday, 10am-10:30am, Rowville Library

Our friends at A Little Chinese Adventure, Jenny and Jingjing, are excited to offer storytimes in Chinese at Bayswater, Knox, Realm and Rowville libraries. Open to all children and their families. FREE - Bookings not required.

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Family Storytime followed by sensory play

Thursdays, 11am-12:30pm, Ferntree Gully Library

Join us for stories, songs and rhymes, and sensory play 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. FREE (Ages 0-6 years). Bookings not required.

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Sinhalese Family Storytime

Every 2nd Saturday, 11am-11:30am (Commences Saturday, 12 October)
Knox Library | Ngarrgoo

Join us for stories, songs, and rhymes with Nadeeka. Sessions will run for 30 minutes, followed by a craft activity. Families and caregivers are welcome to stay afterwards to socialise. FREE (Ages 0-6 years). Bookings not required.

Sinhalese Family Storytime At Knox Library With Nadeeka

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Reading Buddies at Knox Library I Ngarrgoo

Every Wednesday
4pm-5pm (during school terms)
We know that most children come home from school with a reader they are supposed to complete each night. We also know that many adults don’t have the confidence to help their children learn to read - this is why the 'Reading Buddies' program was started.

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Parents/caregivers and their children will listen to stories, play games, and read together, all supported by our Reading Buddy. Children can earn fun rewards and certificates for their reading efforts. A small afternoon snack will be provided.
(Ages 6-12 years) FREE - Bookings not required.

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Comics Plus:
Read all the comics!

You can explore thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, and manga with Comics Plus— 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; on your computer, tablet, or phone! No holds. No wait lists. No limits. Take a look now!

Read something amazing on Comics Plus? Submit a review (and a photo if you like) for your chance to be featured in the next What's New for Kids newsletter. Check out this issue's reviews below!

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Comics Plus recommended reads

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Hotel Transylvania. Kakieland katastrophe

Hotel Transylvania: Kakieland Katastrophe, is the first graphic novel in the series based on the popular animated movie franchise. It's a funny and exciting read that captures the spirit of the movies; a great choice for fans of the films or anyone who enjoys a good monster story. Perfect for Halloween!
- Melissa Bilston, Acting Manager - Children's Services. Reserve your copy now.

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Big Nate: Destined for Awesomeness

It has three stories. My favourite story was The Legend of the Gunting. It is a funny story about Nate being one detention away from disappearing. The new kid at school is naughtier than Nate and he even steals the principal's undies! It is a really funny book and has good illustrations. - Monica, age 9. Reserve your copy now.

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The Tea Dragon Society

The Tea Dragon Society, is for all ages. The colour palette (and dragons) is what initially drew me to this comic, but O'Neill's writing is equally stunning!
- Melissa Hiatt-Boyle, Acting Children’s Services Officer. Reserve your copy now.

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