It was a great joy today to welcome 40 kindergarten students from Princes Street Primary School dressed as their favourite book character to celebrate Children’s Book Week at Parliament House.
The students brought the 2016 Children’s Book Week theme of ‘Australia: Story Country’ to life with their inspired costumes and enthusiasm for sharing their favourite stories.
Storytelling and play-based activities, interpreting and bringing stories to life expands children’s imagination and forms the foundation for essential reading and writing skills.
You could see the delight and excitement on the faces of the students today as they proudly paraded around dressed as their beloved book characters, and it was my pleasure to join with them in reading one of their favourite children’s stories.
Organised by the Children’s Book Council of Australia, Book Week from 20-26 August is an opportunity to celebrate children’s literature, the joy of reading and the role of stories in developing creativity.
I’d like to acknowledge the student’s parents, grandparents, teachers and others who together have fostered a love of reading and books, and helped these kindergarten students to bring the creative characters to life.
Schools throughout Tasmania will be holding Book Week events with the Department of Education Instagram featuring photos by tagging #bookweek2016 and #tasgoveducation.
Children’s Book Week is Australia’s longest running children’s festival, celebrating its 71st anniversary this year.
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