Holidays are Here and the fun Begins

School's out for the holidays but the action's just beginning at Maitland City Library.  These holidays the range of activities is as broad as a child’s imagination with heaps of fun stuff including writing workshops, craft activities, drum workshops, performers and more!  And that’s just the organised activities – there's still the usual range of free family services available including Maitland Library’s very own puppet show and storytimes for the very young.
Aspiring writers aged between 12-18 years will have an opportunity to develop their skills with acclaimed children’s author Philip Gwynne in a two hour workshop at East Maitland Library on Thursday 19 April.  Philip won the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year award for his novel, Deadly, Unna.  He also co-wrote the screenplay for Australian Rules, a film of Deadly, Unna, and for which he recently won an AFI Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
For those interested in Manga, a graphic form of storytelling from Japan that has gained huge popularity with youth around the world, a workshop will be presented by Cartoon Kingdom at Maitland Library on 12 April. Participants will learn the special techniques used to create Japanese Manga Art and create their own style and action figures.
Screaming Jets drummer, Craig Rosevear, was such a hit with local children in January that he has been asked to drum up a storm again at Rutherford Library on Thursday 19 April.  Participants will make their own drum and experience drumming with a real live rock legend at Rosie’s School of Rock.

If guitar music is more your style, a guitar workshop with local musician, Larry Hughes, at East Maitland Library on 17 April is the place to be.  Larry plays in a variety of styles, including rock, blues, country and bluegrass.  Participants should bring their own guitar.

A visit from Fairywinkle promises to take younger children to a mystical place when she invites them to experience her enchanted world of fairy magic at Thornton Library on 13 April.  Also younger children will enjoy storytimes hosted by the Library’s expert storytellers, a ‘Colour Your World’ craft session and the Library’s very own puppet show. 

“The Library is the place to be these school holidays,” said City Librarian, Keryl Collard.  “We have activities for a range of ages, including some great entertainment for preschoolers and interactive workshops for older children and teens.”

Contact the friendly Maitland City Library staff for further information, session times and bookings on phone 4933 6952.