Melbourne Writers Festival 2017 – what we think you should see!
Story Box Library loves to connect children with fantastic Australian stories and we’re always looking for like-minded people who share our passion.
The brilliant team at Melbourne Writers Festival always put on a good show, but if you can’t make it to all of the amazing sessions this year, you might have to whittle your wish list down to a few favourites. We’ve put together a list of our top picks.
Year 2/3
• Live Game: Dungeon Time
Saturday 26 August, 2pm
When your best friend has been locked in a dungeon by an evil monster, you can only do one thing—rescue them! With the help of actor, comedian, writer and game designer Ben McKenzie, children will create and incredible adventure story, in which they are the ultimate hero and save their friend.
Craving more adventure after the session? Once Tashi Met a Dragon, read by Ali McGregor and available on the Story Box Library website is sure to quench your thirst.
• Welcome to Country
Monday 28 August, 11.15am
Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy, author of Welcome to Country, discusses how Indigenous people are connect to land and history through storytelling. In conversation with Welcome to Country illustrator Lisa Kennedy, Aunty Joy will talk about what Welcome to Country means and what we can learn from it.
• Harry Potter Day
Sunday 3 September 10am
An obvious choice and suitable for all ages. Whether you’re a wizard, a muggle or a squib, you’re sure to enjoy trivia, the live screening of The Philosopher’s Stone or having the sorting hat placed on your head, even if you don’t have magical abilities. Extra points (and prizes) for the best-dressed and most imaginative costumes.
Year 4/5
• Animal World
Tuesday 29 August, 10am
Share in Graeme Base’s passion for illustrating animals and see his illustrations of nature’s most impressive creatures, both big and small!
We’ve put together a list of our favourite animal stories in the Story Box Library if you can’t make it to Graeme’s session.
• The Big Draw
Wednesday 30 August, 12.30pm
Join much-loved creator of Old Tom and Horrible Harriet, Leigh Hobbs, with award-winning Sally Rippin. Watch Leigh draw live and meet his wickedly funny creations. Students and children are invited to draw, too! Bring a pen or pencil and something to rest paper on.
If you can’t get to this session, we’ve got you covered. We have a wide range of Leigh Hobbs’ stories available at Story Box Library.
• Spellbinding Stories with Polly & Buster
Thursday 31 August, 11.15am
Award-winning author Sally Rippin will be talking about her new series, Polly and Buster. Hear about how she creates her characters, including Polly the Wayward Witch and Buster the Feelings Monster.
Can’t make it? You can experience the magic of Sally Rippin with Story Box Library.
Year 6
• Holocaust Stories
Monday 28 August, 10am
Hear from bestselling Australian children’s author Morris Gleitzman, discussing his latest book, Maybe, the next chapter in the life of Felix. This session will focus on the Once series, which tells the horror of the Holocaust through the eyes of a Polish Jewish child.
If you’re interested in learning more after the session, you can watch The Treasure Box by Margaret Wild and Freya Blackwood on the Story Box Website. Powerfully told by Kitia Altman, who was awarded an Order of Australia Media in recognition of her work to raise awareness of the Holocaust, The Treasure Box tackles themes of identity, perseverance, resilience, hope and survival.
• Footy Girls
Thursday 31 August, 10am
Collingwood player Emma King join Alicia Sometimes and Nicole Hayes, authors of A Footy Girl’s Guide, to discuss the rise of women’s football and what it means to play footy ‘like a girl’!
• Time Travellers
Thursday 31 August, 11.15am
Hear from writers Kim Kane (When the Lyrebird Calls) and Belinda Murrell (The Lost Sapphire), discussing their approaches to historical children’s fiction. They’ll be talking about their approach to colonisation, the respectful depiction of Indigenous characters and ensuring historical accuracy in their works.
If you feel inspired to learn more after the session, check out Beth – The Story of a Child Convict is a beautifully crafted and fascinating account of Elizabeth Hayward’s life. It’s an insightful account of her experiences of convict life during the Australian Colonial ear, Indigenous culture and the impact of white settlement on the Indigenous population. Told wonderfully by Ava, Viola, Billie and Maude, this tale reveals many insights into a crucial era of Australian history and is well worth a watch.
