Who starred this month? January 2014 Highlights

There is always something going on at Eastern Regional, and this month there were several stand-out events.

Summer Reading Club
The Summer Reading Club continues to be a hit across the region with hundreds of kids reading, filling out their reading logs and and joining the Super Sleuth Competition.

Don't forget, its still not too late to enter the Online Super Sleuth competition! Download the quiz, hunt for the answers and return the form to your local library for a chance to win a book voucher and iTunes voucher valued at $150!

Online Super Sleuth Quiz
Competition Closes Friday January 31st.
(Competition is open to ages 8-12 only).

Animal Rescue
We think everyone can agree that the heat wave this month knocked us all off our feet. Whilst people found themselves visiting the libraries in greater numbers to partake in the air-conditioning, staff at ERL also did their part to help the local wildlife survive the hot weather.

Of special note is the story of Zonks the Ring-tailed Possum, who was kindly taken to the vet by staff member Karla, after being found suffering from dehydration, heat stroke and burnt feet. We are pleased to report that Zonks has recovered very well and has since been released back into area from where he was found.

Cowzat! 
Australia's very own popular children's title COWZAT! was announced the winner of the Children’s App Category at the 2014 Digital Book World Awards. Through a collaborative effort between Emily Owens of Colour Me Play, the National Year of Reading, author Bruce Atherton and illustrator Ben Redlich, COWZAT! was been brought to digital life to inspire an interactive reading experience for kids.

Congratulations to all involved!!

Digital Book World Award Winners
The award winning COWZAT! app is available on iTunes for $2.99

Draw Me a Story Exhibition Launch
Celebrating the talent and vibrancy of Australian Children's literature, the Draw Me a Story exhibition opened on Thursday January 23 at the Maroondah Art Gallery to a full house reception. Amongst the crowd was famous children's authors and illustrators Graeme Base, Leigh Hobbs, Renee Treml and David Miller.

To say the place was packed is an understatement! Much fun was had by the children and families who came - you can see our photos in our Facebook Album.

A must see exhibition - open from January 24th to 15th March.
Details - Maroondah Art Gallery

Summer Reading Celebrations!

Dancing with the Magical Mountains troupe.
Check out Facebook for more photos.

Well, its another year over for the Summer Reading Challenge - and what an amazing effort by all the kids who participated.

We had over 834 children join, with approximately
4,810 books in total being read over the Summer Reading period.

Ferntree Gully Library had the highest reading record sheets returned for one child, numbering at 12 - which means this particular reading whiz read 120 books. Knox Library followed, with at least one child powering through 70 books throughout the challenge. What a fabulous effort for these kids to put in!

To celebrate all our kids' achievements (yes, we librarians are so very proud!!), we held this year's Summer Reading Party at the Mooroolbark Community Centre. With a turnout of around 150 children, we were joined by The Magical Mountains Children's Live Entertainment performers. Amongst our special guests were Stewie the Koala, Locky Cocky, Breanna the Gum Tree and Suzie Roo who delighted our young audience with much singing and dancing.

Of special note are some of our Summer Reading Club Winners. From Lilydale library we have our Reading Winner Nicholas. Our Non-Reader award went to Harley, who shared his love of books with his older brother Jack, who read them all to his little brother. Congratulations, guys!! You can see our winners on our Facebook Page.

Well done to all the children who participated in the Summer Reading Challenge this year - and a big shout out to all the parents and teachers who encouraged the love of reading in their kids. Also, kudos to all our Youth Services Librarians - with Sue, Trudi, Rowanne and Hannah (she was also Breanna the Gum Tree!) for organising the party. Thank you everyone and look forward to seeing you all for  the next Summer Reading Challenge!

For more photos of our Summer Reading Challenge party, visit our Facebook Page.

Congratulations to all participants in the Summer Reading Club. Wow, 5490 books read!

We'd like to thanks and congratulate all of the children who participated in the Summer Reading Club. We had 828 registrations, with 411 reading records completed and 5490 books read. Well done! I hope you found some new authors you like.

Cheers, Maryanne

Summer Reading Club starts 1st December - Scare up a good book to win great prizes

Join up, read 10 books and get stickers, tattoos and wristbands

Go into the draw for some great prizes!

The Victorian Kids Summer Reading Club starts in December so make sure to stop by with the kids to register and collect a reading record.

Rewards include stickers, temporary tattoos and wristbands. All club members who completely fill their record are eligible for the fantastic Summer Reading Club Party and will go into the draw to win a really cool prize.

If your kids haven't participated before the club is a fun way for them to earn rewards by reading. Upon registration members receive a reading record. Kids read books appropriate for their reading level and add the details to their record. Stop by the library to get the record validated. Kids may need to answer a question so we make sure they really read the book.

When: 1st December 2010 - 14th January 2011
Where: All Eastern Regional Libraries

Cheers, Maryanne

Fun for the kids during January

Holiday activities
Check out the January school holiday program for lots of activities for children, some are free, while others have a small cost. A few highlights:

Croydon Library are having two sessions of Make a rain stick & Mexican bird rattle - Tuesday 12th Jan 11am & 2pm

Mooroolbark Library are having 3 sessions of the Yarra Valley Woodworkers on Wednesday 13th Jan 10am (fully booked), 11:30am & 1:30pm (cost is $6 and kids can make bird feeder, nest box, pencil case, trinket box, plant pot holder, dolls cradle).

Meanwhile Rowville Library is having fun with Scrapbooking. You supply the photos and we'll supply the rest. Monday 18th Jan 10:30am, cost is $2.

View January school holiday program (pdf, 169KB, 2 pages)


Summer Reading Club
Kids can also join in with the Summer Reading Club. Fill out the registration form at your library today and start reading.

Rewards include stickers, temporary tattoos & wristbands.

Return your completed reading record by Friday 15th January to enter the competition for a $100 book voucher. Entrants also go into a State draw for an ipod.

Cheers, Maryanne

Summer Reading Club party

Celebrate the end of the Summer Reading Club for 2008. Every child who brings back a completed reading record receives an invitation. The party includes a play by CARP Productions (Secrets of the universe) and the prize draw.

The celebration will be outside so children need to bring their own hat/sunscreen and a rug to sit on.We will be inside if it rains.

Children will also need to bring snacks and drinks for themselves if they require them. Every child who has participated by returning their reading record will be able to collect their certificate. Jill has the carp production play title.

When: Tues 22nd January 11am
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