ANIMAL DAY!

Highlighting our 2 chosen books from the Picture Book Short List 2012 we are hosting at our library an “Animal Day”! Since we have been having such lovely weather we will be hosting the day outside in the gardens located at the back of the library. If the weather is unsuitable, it will be easily moved into our library. And do not worry there will be staff still in library to assist.

It will be held on Saturday the 10^th of November at the back of the main building. A free BBQ will be provided but feel free to bring along a picnic and your furry friends. Just please clean after them.

Children are welcome and encouraged to come dressed up as their favorite animal and sit and listen to the 2 books being read and performed. There is a special performance of “For all the creatures” by the drama students at the local high school at 10.40am. There will be a break between the reading and the performance for crafts,coloring and face painting that will be provided. And afterwards there will be games for all the little animals to run around and enjoy.

The beautiful library Gardens.

The day’s schedule will go as followed -

09.00 am - Darcy Library opens

10.00 am - “The Dream of the Thylacine” Reading

10.20 am - Crafts and coloring with family 

10.40 am -“For all the creatures” performance by the Drama Class

11.00 am - BBQ and games

12.00 pm - End of Animal Day Activities & Thank you to participants

Hope to see all you library animals there!

Questions or queries please let us know by commenting below or email us at darcylibrary@libraries.com.au

For all the Creatures

"For all creatures - the great and the small, the winged and the walking, the singing and the silent - we are thankful."

Glenda Millard and Rebecca Cool both previously collaborated on the book "Isabella’s Garden" have once again joined creative forces and presented a beautiful thank you to world of animals. With short sharp poems depicting everything from bugs to elephants, fish to bats it's all colourfully embraced in this story. 

Glenda Millard's verses are quirky and imaginative not shying away from interesting and strong words guaranteed to spark the interest of little readers. Her love of words shines through every page you turn delighting the ears and the tongue when read aloud. The words also hold a deeper meaning as she asks children to be gracious and respectful for the creatures that live around us in every size, shape and species.

Rebecca Cool uses various art formats to create the colorful and striking world of animals and plants. Her simplistic yet intensely colored illustrations match Millard's poetry and will leap out of the page and ignite imaginations. There is an amazing tiger with wooden ruler stripes which is just beautiful to behold. The book has a simple and repetitive format but is never overdone and is easy to read again and again without lack of enthusiasm.  This is just a pleasure to read for anyone adores animals and wishes to share and pass on their love of the natural world to the next generation.

Please let us know what you think about this post or other subjects by commenting below or email us at darcylibrary@libraries.com.au

The Dream of the Thylacine

When I was a young girl, in our school library we read the book “Old Pig” by writer & artist collaborative Margaret Wild and Ron Brooks. The story told of an Old pig and her granddaughter that share everything together, including the house work until the day old pig cannot get up as usual anymore. Old pig prepares granddaughter pig to say goodbye to her, as they go for one last walk together. It was gorgeous book with a special message. And this book is no different.

This beautiful yet tragic picture tells the extinction of the Thylacine or more commonly known as the Tasmanian tiger. Not a true tiger, this marsupial announced extinct on the island of Tasmania after the last one named “Benjamin” died in captivity September 7, 1936. They were hunted to extinction by farmers and bounty hunters due to their attacks on livestock. Due to this, we lost a fascinating and uniquely Australian animal and this picture book reflects that lament. 

This book told from the perspective of a captured Thylacine wondering through the land it once inhabited through the bars of their cage. The mixed media of Ron Brooks helps take us through the animal longing for freedom and life, and the sad final moments of its inevitable extinction. Thought through death, the Thylacine returns to his forest home where he can explore in peace forever. This poetic book is a gentle way for children to understand the devastating effects humans can have on our natural world.  A stunning book with a powerful message, a must read.

Please let us know what you think about this post or other subjects by commenting below or email us at darcylibrary@libraries.com.au