Best of Melbourne❜s Book Week Activities August 19 - 26

This year's Book Week theme is "Escape to everywhere" and you can do exactly that with fun bookish-themed activities for kids across the city between August 19 and 26.

Book Week at Melbourne Museum

This year the Melbourne Museum is inviting children and families to join them for a range of special Book Week activities.

From meeting pre-historic dinosaurs to exploring a living forest, let your imagination run wild and Escape to Everywhere at Melbourne Museum!

Where: Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton

When: August 21 - 26

Cost: Included with museum entry

To book: 03 8341 7777

For more info: head to the website

Costume Parade and Story Time

Dress up as your favourite book character and join the fun and fabulous costume parade through the museum’s galleries.

Then join a special Story Time event in the Pauline Gandel Children’s Gallery featuring award winning Museum Victoria authors Jackie Kerin and Dianne Jackson Hill.

Diane Jackson Hill’s much loved book, Chooks in Dinner Suits. A tale of big dogs and little penguins, illustrated by Craig Smith, was a Notable listing in this year’s CBCA awards and has been short-listed for the 2017 Wilderness Society’s Environment Award for Children’s Literature. Diane is also the author of Annabel’s Dance and Baby Band.

Jackie Kerin is a well-known author and performer in schools and festivals around Australia. Her books include Phar Lap the Wonder Horse, illustrated by Patricia Mullins, and Lyrebird. A True Story, illustrated by Peter Gouldthorpe, which was an Honour book at the 2012 CBCA Book of the Year Awards.

Where: Foyer of the Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton

When: Thurs 24 August, 10.40 - 11.40am

Cost: Included with museum entry

To book: 03 8341 7777

For more info: head to the website

Reading Time at the Museum

Join top book creators Michael Wagner and Anna Walker for a morning of stories in the Children’s Gallery on Saturday August 26 from 10am.

Where: Children’s Gallery of the Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton

When: Saturday August 26, 10am - 12 noon

Cost: Included with museum entry

To book: 03 8341 7777

For more info: head to the website

Museum Stories

As a part of the ‘Escape to Everywhere’ Children’s Book Week 2017, Melbourne Museum presents Museum Stories.

Immerse yourself in an interactive story time, then go on an adventure to explore a museum gallery or space, with a different museum theme every day. 

Where: Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton

When: each day of Book Week

Cost: Included with museum entry

To book: 03 8341 7777

For more info: head to the website

Storytime with Jeannette Rowe

Celebrate 1000 Books Before School, with a special storytime with children’s author Jeannette Rowe. After storytime Jeanette will also draw and give away some of her original artwork. For children aged up to five years old. 

Where: Keilor Library

When: Tuesday 22 August, 11am

Cost: Free

For more info: head to the website

Snow Wombat Storytimes

A special reading of the Snow Wombat followed by a wombat trail craft activity.  For children aged three to five years. All sessions start at 10.30am. 

Deer Park: Wednesday 23 and Friday 25 August
Keilor: Wednesday 23 August
St Albans: Monday 21 August
Sunshine: Wednesday 23 August
Sydenham: Friday 25 August

Cost: Free

For more info: head to the website

Book Week Storytime at Southbank Library

Drop by for storytime and escape into some of the stories shortlisted for the Book of the Year prize.

For ages 3 to 5 years.

Where: Southbank Library at Boyd: Ground 207 City Road, Southbank 

When: Thursday 24th August 10.30am – 11.30am

Cost: free

To book: 03 9658 8300

For more info: head to the website

Mosster AR play workshop for 3 to 5 year olds

Escape to everywhere and explore augmented reality through play, AR graffiti, tumbling boxes, a ball game and musical boxes.

Bookings essential.

Where: Southbank Library at Boyd: Ground 207 City Road, Southbank 

When: Saturday 26 August, 10.30am and 11.30am

Cost: free

To book: online here.

For more info: head to the website

Mosster AR play workshop for 6 to 10 year olds

Escape to everywhere and explore augmented reality through play, AR graffiti, tumbling boxes, a ball game and musical boxes.

​Loads of fun for 6 to 10 year olds - bookings essential

Where: East Melbourne Library, 122 George Street East Melbourne

When: Saturday 26 August, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm

Cost: free

To book: online here.

For more info: head to the website

Other Book Week story times

For ages 3 to 5 years.

City Library
Monday 21 August, 10.30am to 11.30am

North Melbourne Library
Tuesday 22 August, 10.30am to 11.30am

Kathleen Syme Library
Wednesday 23 August, 10.30am to 11.30am

East Melbourne Library
Wednesday 23 August, 10.30am to 11.45pm

Southbank Library
Thursday 24 August, 10.30am to 11.30am

Library at the Dock
Friday 25 August, 10.30am to 11.30am

Main Image Credit: Children's Book Council of Australia Facebook