On Tuesday, 26 October we had close to eighty families join us for the “Raising Readers” webinar, with many more families clicking on the link to watch the recording. The purpose of the webinar was to show why developing a strong reading practice is crucial for optimal wellbeing and academic outcomes, and our role as parents in this process. Nine easy-to-implement ways of incorporating reading into family life were also offered throughout the presentation. 

During our Q and A session, there were questions requesting book recommendations for different ages. For the month of November, we have teamed with The Little Bookroom (TLB) for our Online Book Fair. TLB’s website has book lists for various ages and genres, so definitely head there for plenty of great recommendations. The team at TLB are across the children’s literary landscape and value quality and diversity in their curation of titles.

There was also a question regarding how to find literary events. Attending literary events was suggested during the presentation to weave reading into the fabric of family life. Reading is also a social activity, where likeminded people find each other to discuss stories at book clubs, author visits and book launches. These events attract reading-centric families and are a great way to make new friends. Following is a list of places you can find literary events. 

1. Our local libraries host a range of free activities including school holiday programs, author talks and writing workshops. Head to this link to find out what's on at Hume Libraries.
2. Keep your eye on the State Library of Victoria website events page. The State Library is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Melbourne, and they host a range of fabulous events to help you get to know the amazing collections.
3. Bookshops such as The Little Bookroom host children’s book clubs, book launches, illustration workshops and more. Sign up to the social media accounts of independent bookshops to get news of their fabulous literary events. Other children’s bookshops include Readings Kids, The Younger Sun and Squishie Minnie Bookstore.
4. The Melbourne Writers Festival (MWF) is held in September each year and has a range of literary events for children. MWF provides the perfect opportunity for our young readers to meet their author heroes!
5. We are so lucky that we live in a city awarded with the accolade “City of Literature”. With several fabulous children’s publishers residing in Melbourne, it is very much also the “City of Children’s Literature.” The link above will lead you to a range of children’s literary events including Kids Book Fest and the Castlemaine Children’s Literature Festival – among many others.

We are now well into November, so remember to jump onto The Little Bookroom website for our Online Book Fair. With orders delivered to the School every Friday and 15% of all sales donated back to our school Library, November really is the best time to fill up your home library! Happy reading!

Siana Einfeld - Teacher Librarian