Congratulations to Amie & Tiana, winners of the Children's Storywriting Competition

Congratulations to the following winners of the ERL Children's Storywriting Competition:

Winner 6-8 years $75 book voucher - Amie - Pokey Puppy
Winner 9-12 years $100 book voucher - Tiana - Tommy and his Magical Powers

Andy Griffiths presented the winners with their prizes at the Mad Hatter's Tea Party at Mooroolbark Library.

Cheers, webgurl

Write a story, save wildlife - Young wildlife writers competition

Wildlife artist Pollyanna Pickering and partners have announced a fantastic opportunity for young writers.

All budding young writers are invited to submit a story inspired by any of the animals or subjects helped by Wildlife Warrior’s conservation partners – Snow Leopards, Cheetahs or any other wild cat – or North American wildlife or wilderness areas.

Enter your story

• Who can enter? Children from anywhere in the world in the following age groups - 8 years and under, 9 – 13 years and 14 – 18  years
• How many words does the story have to be? Entries should be up to 1,000 words
• What are the prizes? Winners in each age group will receive award certificates, and a book and limited edition print signed by Pollyanna. An over all winner will then be chosen, and Pollyanna will create a painting of the animal subject of their story inspired by their writing. This painting will be published as a limited edition, and the winner will receive the number one print, signed by Pollyanna, in addition to their other prizes. The print will then be sold to raise funds for the winner’s chosen conservation partner.  
• Can I submit stories I have published? The stories must be the entrants own work, previously unpublished and submitted in English. 
• How much is the entry fee? Entry is free. 
• Can I write a true story? Work can be either fiction or factual
• When is the closing date? Closing date for entries is 31st December 2011. Winners will be announced on the 30th January 2012. 

Wildlife Warriors Conservation Partners

Your story can be inspired by any of the animals or wilderness areas helped by Wildlife Warrior's Conservation partners. Click on the links below to find out more about their work :

Panthera - Leaders in Wild Cat Conservation - they are working to save 37 species including lions, tigers and leopards.

Vital Ground Foundation - helps preserve the threatened grizzly bear and other animals through the conservation of habitat - one acre at a time.

Freedom To Roam ‘Photography Conservation Project’

Cheetah Conservation Fund - working to see a world in which cheetah live and flourish in co-existence with people and the environment.

Snow Leopard Trust - the world's leading authority on the study and protection of the endangered snow leopard.

Cheers, Maryanne

Opening the doors to early literacy

Whether you're a parent or caregiver for young children you'll pick up some great tips from the following US librarians. Participants will learn ways to promote early literacy skills using activities and ideas for parents, caregivers and service providers who interact with young children.


9:45am  Birth to two years of age with James Thomas
James has worked as a children's librarian since retiring as a Library Science Professor at Texas Women's University. He has undertaken postdoctoral studies in early childhood literacy, and is the author of a number of books. James will be demonstrating rhymes and finger plays for parents and carers to use with under two's.


10:15am Two Years Old with James Thomas
In this session James will demonstrate stories, rhymes and games specifically designed to promote reading readiness for the 2 year old age group.


11am Ready to read - Three to five years with Shannon Schinagl
Shannon is a Children's Librarian with the Seattle Public Library in Washington State. She holds a Masters in Library Science and specializes in children's literacy.

Shannon will be working with 3 - 5 year olds demonstrating stories, songs and activities to promote reading to pre-schoolers.


11:30am Sing in to reading with Nancy Stewart
Nancy has been performing for young children since 1985. She has entertained children across West Coast America and is a sought after performer and presenter with many awards to her credit.

Come along for a fun performance with Nancy.

When: Friday 30th October (sessions as above)
Where: Lilydale Lake Community Room, Lilydale-Montrose Rd, Lilydale (Community Room is at the far end of the Main Car Park) Melways Ref: 38 G7
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92943120

Cheers, Maryanne

School holiday program

The September/October school holiday program is out. Check out the program and book at your local branch.

View Sept/Oct holiday program (pdf, 170Kb, 2 pages). Hard copies should be arriving at the branches next week.

Events include Sand Art Wizard at Rowville, Discover the Universe with Dr. James Murray at Knox, Science experiments from the library dungeon at Croydon, Worry dolls at Healesville and Ben 10 at Moorolbark.

Cheers, Maryanne

Rowville bookclubs

Rowville Library hold regular bookclubs for kids and teens throughout the year.

Teenage Book Chat

Third Wednesday of every month 4pm

Come along to chat about a book you have read and borrow the newest young adult fiction books, music CDs and magazines.


Ready Steady Read Bookclub

First Wednesday of every month 4pm

Where: Rowville Library, Stud Park Shopping Centre, Stud Road, Rowville
Ph: 9294 1300

Cheers, Maryanne

Meet Andy Griffiths

Now this is huge! Are your kids mad about Andy Griffiths? Well here's your chance. The kids can meet Andy and have their favourite Andy Griffiths' book signed.

Books available to purchase.

When: Sunday 26th August 2pm-3:30pm
Where: Ringwood Library, Melbourne Street Mall, Ringwood

Bookings Essential 9870 0177

Cheers, Maryanne

The love of reading : nurturing through conversation, rhyme and story

Don't know how to encourage your young child to develop a love of reading? Come along to a talk for parents of babies and young children presented by Leanne Fox, Librarian, primary educator and Mother Goose teacher.

When: Thursday 16th August 7pm
Where: Rowville Library, Stud Park Shopping Centre, Stud Road, Rowville Please book Ph: 9294 1300

Cheers, Maryanne

Holiday activity program

The activity program for the April holidays is now available on the website. Contact the branches for bookings.

Cheers, Maryanne

New 4 kids website

The new 4 Kids website is now live. I know, it's very exciting :-). I've been working on it for months.

Anyhoo, kids can submit their own book reviews, tell us about their favourite animal or send in a picture for the Art Gallery. There are also a couple of competitions.

Go to 4 Kids.

Cheers, Maryanne

January Holiday Activities

The January Holiday activity program has been uploaded to the website. Book in early for the fantastic activities for kids at our libraries.

View the holiday activity program.

Cheers, Maryanne

Christmas Fun at Ringwood Library

Before you get started on the Christmas shopping this weekend, drop into Ringwood Library for a great Christmas activity with stories and crafts for all the family.

When: Saturday 16th December at 11am
Where: Ringwood Library, 4 Melbourne Street Mall, Ringwood.
rsvp on 9870 0177

Cheers, Maryanne

Local to local: Christmas balls from recycled christmas cards

Come along and learn how to make some great decorations!

When: Saturday 16th December 10am
Where: Mooroolbark Library, 7 Station St, Mooroolbark
Ph: 9726 8200. All welcome

Cheers, Maryanne

Celebrate Christmas with Scott Ryan and Chester the Bear

Join in the Christmas fun at Mt Evelyn library with a special performance by Scott Ryan and Chester the Bear

When: Wednesday 13th December 6:30pm
Where: Mount Evelyn Library, 50 Wray Crescent , Mount Evelyn
Bookings essential 9736-3851

Cheers, Maryanne

Ferntree Gully Library Children's Christmas Party

Ferntree Gully Library is having a special Children's Christmas Party. There will be stories by Matteo and Christmas carol singing. Book now, only 4 places left!

When: Wednesday 6th December 6.30-7.30pm
Where: Ferntree Gully Library 1010 Burwood Hwy Ferntree Gully Ph: 9294 8140

Cheers, Maryanne

Summer Reading Club Launch Party

Kids, come along to the Read Around Oz Summer Reading Club Launch Party. You can join the reading club and get started early.

When: Friday 1st December at 4pm
Where: Ringwood Library, Melbourne Street Mall, Ringwood
Ages: Primary school

Bookings essential phone 9870 0177
Free activity

Cheers, Maryanne

After School Christmas Craft

Great Christmas craft activities for school children.

Where: Belgrave Library Reynolds Lane Belgrave Ph: 9754 7266

Monday 27th November 4pm - Christmas gift boxes
Monday 4th December 4pm - Christmas Potpourri Balls

COST $2 per child. Bookings essential

Cheers, Maryanne

Christmas crafts for kids

Some fantastic Christmas crafts for the kids to make.

Where: Mooroolbark Library, 7 Station Street, Mooroolbark Ph: 9726 8200

Wednesday 22nd November 4.00pm - Make your own Choir Mouse
Wednesday 29 November 4.00pm - Christmas beads for your tree
Wednesday 6 December 4.00pm - Christmas decorations

All activities are $2.00 each or book in for all three for $5.00

Bookings essential PH:9726 8200