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Newsletter Edition: August 2024
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 Have you collected your Library Adventures activity book from your local library yet? We've been so busy this summer with hundreds of children joining Library Adventures each week and record numbers of children's books being borrowed! It's been wonderful seeing all the children's happy smiles and hearing about their favourite books. We love rewarding their creativity with our fun fabulous stickers.
If you've not had time to get started yet, don't worry, Library Adventures lasts ALL YEAR. In September all our libraries will be switching themes so there'll be new books to read, new activities and new stickers and bookmarks to collect.
Find out which theme will be at your library here.
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 Comics and graphic novels offer a different route into discovering the pleasure of reading. From hilarious capers to nail-biting thrillers and superhero adventures to touching tales, there's something for everyone. Author/illustrator Neill Cameron talks about a new golden age in British comics and graphic novels for young readers and we are now beginning to see an explosion in terms of range and availability, led by brilliant creators like the UK’s own Jamie Smart and his hilarious, bestselling and wildly-beloved Bunny vs Monkey books.
We've been boosting our stock of immensely popular graphic novels. Watch out for new deliveries of brand new books arriving in the libraries very soon! Or why not explore our library catalogue for your favourite and reserve a copy so you can be the first borrower?
Discover BookTrust's favourite graphic novels for primary school children.
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 Haven't visited Castle Hill in a long while? Now's the ideal opportunity to plan a trip with your children! Come along to our summer storytrail at Castle Hill from 2-4pm on Saturday 17th August. Enjoy the fantastic weather and explore the Victoria Tower, open to visitors.
Remember, there are plenty of other locations hosting storytrails this summer! Find out more and book free tickets.
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 Welcome to England’s largest festival of history and culture!
Every September thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. Stories are told, traditions explored, and histories brought to life. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – and it’s all FREE.
You could find out more about the lost railways of Kirklees at the Local Studies library in Huddersfield or why not go on a fascinating backstage tour of the Lawrence Batley Theatre, or a tower tour of Dewsbury Minster with a chance to ring the bell?
Find out more and discover what's on
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 Judging by the popularity of the Magical Lands theme in our libraries this summer, it’s safe to say that children love reading this particular genre. But why is that?
Author Kieran Larwood shared why he thinks child readers find fantasy books so engaging: "Just by opening the cover of a book, readers are able to slip into other universes where spells can be cast and powerful villains battled. While they are lost in the stories they read, magic still exists, and the real world vanishes. Imagination rules over all and dreams can literally come true. Everyone needs a place like that to escape to which, along with building creativity, helps foster empathy and understanding, and lets readers process real-world events as they relate to characters and stories. Which is why fantasy books are so important, and hopefully why childhood readers will keep coming back, even after the tooth fairy stops visiting."
Browse our fab list of fantastical children's fiction
Read the full feature with Kieran Larwood on the BookTrust website
The Magical Lands theme will be arriving at Batley, Birstall, Cleckheaton and Heckmondwike libraries in September.
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 Have you ever wondered what the first Gruffalo illustrations looked like? Or thought how does Phillip Pullman write his books?
Or maybe you’ve wanted to know what was the inspiration for George in the Famous Five books? What word game did Lewis Carroll invent? What’s in Valerie Bloom’s fan mail?
These are all questions that can be answered by visiting seven stories' new digital exhibition which showcases the stories behind the stories from the last hundred years of children’s literature.
Specifically designed with children in mind, for them to explore on their own or with their class, friends or family, the digital exhibition features works from some of the best-selling and most influential authors, illustrators, editors and publishers of the 20th and 21st centuries, including Phillip Pullman, John Agard, Sarah Garland, Valerie Bloom, Aidan Chambers, Nick Sharratt, Pearl Binder and Michael Morpurgo.
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 Whether your child is super excited, or a little nervous, we have a great selection of books to help when starting or moving school.
Some children might prefer a gentle and reassuring read such as I am too Absolutely Small for School by Lauren Child, others could appreciate a more practical approach, like that of Rosie Jones' Moving On Up.
Those worried about starting school or feel nervous about the return to school can find a selection of books in our libraries, including Questions and Feelings about Worries by Paul Christelis from our Reading Well for Children collections.
Don't forget to pick up some storybooks too, to remind children of all the fun they can have at school - for belly laughs pick The Worst Class in the World series by Joanna Nadin. And you could always borrow some great new non-fiction titles on popular school subjects to boost their learning, like What's Science? by Frances Durkin.
For more brilliant book recommendations, look at LoveReading4Kids 50 brilliant Back to School Books
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Right now the need for connection, understanding and standing up against hate has never felt more urgent. Let's focus on being the best of us, on using the powerful human skill of empathy. Reading for empathy helps children reject "othering" and build their perspective-taking skills. Reading is a powerful tool to help build these crucial life skills.
Empathy Lab UK have pulled together a range of FREE Don't Hate, Educate resources including recommended reads and a family activity pack which gives you everything you need to explore empathy education at home.
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 Borrow eAudio / eBooks
We have over 29,000 eAudio and eBook titles. Borrow them for free with your Kirklees library card and pin.
View the collection along with details of how to download and use the Libby app via our Overdrive page at: kirklees.overdrive.com
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 PressReader: Digital magazines and Newspapers
Our digital magazine and newspaper service can now be accessed from within the Libby app. Select the Pressreader icon from within Libby and follow the on-screen instructions.
Our collection of over 7,300 national and international titles available to read online or download includes magazines and newspapers written for children!
You have complimentary access with your Kirklees library card and PIN for 30 days before you have to sign in again. For more details, along with details of the text-to-speech and instant translation options, see our PressReader catalogue at: www.pressreader.com
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Our Opening Times and Social Stories
The addresses and opening times of all our libraries can be found on our website at: Locations and opening times | Kirklees Council
We also have Social Stories for each library, which let you have a visual tour of the different buildings before visiting. These Social Stories are ideal for people with Autism or Anxiety and can be found in the opening times section for each library, under the "We are going to..." heading at the top.
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 Skelmanthorpe is a great place for a trip out with the family, and not just because of the wonderful library building!
June at Skelmanthorpe says, "There’s an open weekend at Skelmanthorpe Textile Heritage Centre on 8/9th of September, a visit to the centre, a weaving demo and walks around the heritage village trail. There’s info here: Skelmanthorpe Textile Heritage Centre (heritageopendays.org.uk) Booking is essential as it’s a tiny weavers cottage but very interesting and well worth a visit. They have their own website Skelmanthorpe museum (fosthc.wixsite.com) there’s an education section which has activities for the kids to try before and after their visit."
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