It’s Book Week, and in honour of the annual week celebrating all things books, Sale Library hosted a special Book Week-themed Storytime on Saturday, August 20.

Sale Library support officer Leanne Collins. Photos: Zoe Askew

Leading Saturday Storytime at Sale Library was none other than Library support officer Leanne Collins, who even had help setting up from Spiderman.

Alex Collins at the Sale Library Book Week themed Saturday Storytime.

Oh no, sorry, this writer was mistaken. It was her son Alex, who was convincingly disguised as Spiderman in his black spidey suit.

Many of Sale’s youngest readers dressed as characters from their favourite books; there was Wonderwoman, the Gruffalo, Elsa from Frozen, princesses, butterflies, and the list goes on.

Brothers Miles and Tucker Morris at Sale Library for Book Week. Photos: Zoe Askew

After a quick dance and singalong, it was time to take a seat for the main event.

First up – the classic, possibly the most popular children’s book of all time, ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ by Eric Carle.

Abigael Shone taking an interest in the Very Hungry Caterpillar’s transformation into a butterfly.

The Children’s Book Council of Australia, with schools and public libraries, have brought children and books together through Book Week since 1945, celebrating the importance of books and reading and promoting Australian authors and illustrators.

Thea Dean at Sale Library for Book Week storytime.
Little Thea Dean as Wonderwoman at Sale Library for Book Week themed storytime.

Each year the Children’s Book Council of Australia nominates a theme for the annual Book Week; this year’s theme is ‘Dreaming with eyes open’.

‘Dreaming with eyes open’ is a beautiful theme that gives scope to reflect on Indigenous culture.

Sisters Everly and Harper Anton at Sale Library’s Saturday Storytime tributing Book Week. Photos: Zoe Askew

Jasmine Seymour, the illustrator of Baby Business, which won the CBCA Award for New Illustrator in 2020, is the designer of the Children’s Book Council of Australia 2022 Book Week official theme artwork.

Book Week kicked off at Sale Library with colourful smiles.

What was your favourite book growing up?

Maybe you were a Pamela Allen fan and couldn’t get enough of ‘Waddle, Giggle, Gargle’, ‘Who Sank the Boat’ and ‘Mr McGee’.

Or maybe you were privy to Mem Fox, loving stories such as ‘Possum Magic’, ‘Koala Lou’, ‘Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge’ and ‘Shoes from Grandpa’.

Harper Anton and Abigael Shone discovering the magic of books.

As Wellington Shire children dress as their favourite book characters this week, and are reminded of the importance of books and reading, it is an excellent time for parents to reflect on their favourite childhood books and share them with the next generation.