If you were shopping in the main street of Narromine recently, you may have stumbled upon local library coordinator Gabrielle Teale-McEvoy taking a walk during her break dressed as the notorious BFG, Fancy Nancy or other characters straight from the pages of popular children’s books.  

Coming to work in colourful costumes is all part of the job for the dedicated library staff from the Narromine and Trangie branches of the Macquarie Regional Library during the ever-popular Book Week. 

Narromine Library assistant Belinda Maher’s Book Week alter-egos included Minnie Mouse, the Mad Hatter, and Where’s Wally. She also bravely donned a life-size banana outfit which was a great hit with the children who visited the Library on that day.  

“It’s very ap-peal-ing…” Ms Maher said. Boom-Boom! 

At Trangie Library, Stacey Neville was the central west’s best Princess Elsa from the much-loved Disney animated film, Frozen, while colleague Allison Nash rocked a frog costume honouring the award-winning children’s book Snap! 

Their costumes and collective efforts to promote the annual children’s literature celebration thrilled hundreds of children from across the Narromine Shire who enjoyed an extended Book Week from August 19-30. Narromine Library hosted 27 class visits with a whopping 527 preschool, primary school and family day care children taking part, while Trangie Library hosted five visits and welcomed 107 children to its activities. 

PHOTO: The Mad Hatter meets the Weather Girl at Narromine Library during Book Week.  

“The kids all dress up for Book Week, which is really exciting,” said Ms Teale-McEvoy, who manages both libraries in the shire. She told the Western Plains App that her team enjoyed dressing up and welcoming the students from local schools and early childhood centres to their local libraries for Book Week activities. 

“This year's theme, 'Read, Grow, Inspire,' encapsulates the essence of what reading can offer to each and every one of us,” she said. 

“Books have an incredible ability to transport us to different worlds, ignite our imaginations and even spark personal growth and development.” 

 Schools and libraries around the country willingly join in the festive fun of Book Week celebrations of Australian children’s literature, which are promoted by the non-profit Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA). Now in its 78th year, the CBCA sponsors Australian children’s literature awards which are also celebrated during Book Week.

PHOTO: Belinda Maher, Stacey Neville and Gabrielle Teale-McEvoy go the extra mile for local children during Book Week 2023. 

The CBCA Book of the Year is awarded in categories including Older Readers, Younger Readers, Early Childhood, Picture Book of the Year, the Eve Pownall Award and New Illustrator Award.

“Every book we read has the potential to leave a lasting impact on our lives. During Book Week we are delighted to celebrate the best of Australian children's literature with Narromine and Trangie schools,” Ms Teale-McEvoy said. 

PHOTO: Did you see Minnie Mouse or the BFG in Narromine Library recently?