Get a box full of free activities with all the resources you need included delivered to your door for free! The State Library of New South Wales Creative Kids Box is filled with activities inspired by the Library’s collections to delight and inspire all curious and creative primary school aged children. They will provide detailed activity instructions and a box full of creative supplies delivered straight to your door – and with your NSW Government Creative Kids Voucher it is completely free!

Inspired by the Library’s new picture book The Best Cat, the Est Cat, the Library Box brings the big Library to you! All 10 screen-free activities in this box highlight the Library and its fascinating collections in interesting and accessible ways.

From the moment this box arrives on your doorstep, the activities inside will have you painting, playing, reading, building, baking, constructing, crafting and writing. Best of all, this box contains plenty of ideas, instructions and resources to repeat and extend the activities for MONTHS to come.

Everything you need to know is on the State Library’s website including how to apply for the NSW $100 Creative Kids Voucher (have your child’s Medicare details ready). Enjoy!

John Willing is a retired local educator having worked in the NSW Department of Education for forty years. John spent his career working in Western New South Wales as a teacher and school leader. Schools included Forbes, Ivanhoe, Grenfell, Blayney, Mandurama, Millthorpe, Bletchington and the school that figures in this story Spicers Creek.

Hear John recount some lively stories featured in his novel A Clutch of Speckled Eggs at Blayney Library on Tuesday 7 December at 11am. For bookings please call Blayney Library on 6368 2581 or book online. Please note current NSW Public Health rules apply. See you there!

In this collection of poems Ten Fabled Landscapes Diana explores the changing nature of place from a range of perspectives. From the familiar, such as Orange’s Cook Park begonia house, to the wild – a Blue Mountains cliff face and the sandy surrounds of Lake Mungo – their distinctive elements are examined.

The book has also proved to be a personal experiment for Diana as she interfaced almost every poem with black and white images. Some of them were part of the original inspiration for the writing of the poem next to it.

Come and join us to celebrate with Diana to launch her wonderful book of poetry and photographs on Thursday 2 December at 5.30pm – 7pm. Please book your place online or call us on 6393 8132.

Meet local speech pathologist Karen Trengove at Orange City Library Storytime on Wednesday 24 November at 11am when she gives a presentation about speech and language, then enjoy a reading of Boo Loves Books written by Kay Baillie and illustrated by Tracie Grimwood. It is one of Speech Pathology’s Australia’s Book of the Year winning books!

You will also discover how you can support your child’s language and literacy development at home with information to take with you. It is part of the Speechie Library Talks 2021 happening around Australia in November.

Boo Loves Books is a delightful story about a little girl named Phoebe who is a reluctant reader. The story discusses themes the are relatable to children aged 3 – 5 years – namely the fear of making mistakes.

Please book your place online or call Orange City Library on 6393 8132. 

Join us for this special event on Sunday 14 November at 3pm to launch The Boy and the Elephant – the powerful new picture book from Greenaway Medallist and seven-time CBCA winner, local illustrator Freya Blackwood.

The boy lives in a city, where everything is fast and loud. But amidst the bustle and the noise, the boy has a secret …In the overgrown lot next to his apartment building, deep within the green, he has a friend. But one day progress arrives, bringing with it plans for something new, and the boy must find a way to save his friend before it’s too late …

It is a magical and tender wordless picture book about the world we live in and our ability to change it.

This is event is proudly supported by Collins Booksellers. Please note current COVID-19 Public Health Orders will apply. Please book your place online or call Orange City Library on 6393 8132. See you there!