Our library by Donna Rawlins

Libraries are the most welcoming of places, and the front cover invites all readers to step inside and join in with the fun.

 

Each day has a different focus and the reader is take through what happens on each day with a variety of participants. Monday is making new friends day and the children, Sami and Tian Tian introduce their mothers, encouraging  them to sit on the comfy chairs and chat, while the children learn the words and actions of a new making new friends song. Sami and Tian Tian then borrow a book to take home for the week. Tuesday is dinosaur day and Amina wears her dinosaur costume while Zak roars like a t-rex. Suzy the librarian reads a dinosaur story to the group but is not as good as Amina and Zak in saying the names of the animals. Both children borrow a dinosaur book and take it home to share with their family. Wednesday is a I can do day where all sorts of bits and pieces are laid out for the children to make something. Henry and Bridget make paintings to hang on the wall.Thursday is a wiggle and jiggle day with everyone joining in while Suzy sings, ‘The wheels on the bus’, a firm favourite. Erik and Yasmin sing the song all the way home, and mum suggests that they learn a new one to surprise Suzy. 

 

Each new day sees a new activity at this wonderful library, including everyone in its programme, supporting parents and grandparents as they come along and join in with their children 

 

The fun activities lead the children on to borrow a book to take home, to sing again the song they have learnt, to learn a new song to surprise the librarian, to dance with the family. Each brilliant page reflects family togetherness, each child confident with a family member nearby joining in. Rawlins includes a range of people and children in her lovely illustrations, underscoring the diversity of the Australian population. But it is the library and all it promotes that stands centre stage. Libraries are community centred, providing a safe environment in which children can meet and learn, join in and express  themselves. The programmes offered by libraries are as diverse as the people who use them, and need to be nurtured and supported. And using your local library will do this, making sure it is there for the next generation of users. Teacher's notes are available.