Book an adventure! Book Week 2025 

‘When we read together, we connect. Together, we see the world. Together,
we see one another.’  ~ author Kate DiCamillo

Shared at our recent K-6 Book Week assembly, this quote encapsulates our week-long community celebration of children’s literature, advocating for the value and importance of storytelling, books and reading for everyone.

The week began with lively and thoughtful theatrical adaptations of the books, The Garden of Broken Things and Small Acts, performed by Meerkat Productions. 

Mid-week, our K-6 assembly was an opportunity to come together to enjoy and honour creativity, inspirational readers and writers, and service. Highlights included an entertaining play written by Mr Holmsen and performed by the Year 6 Library Monitors and Mrs Allen-Waters. Set in a travel booking agency, some of the CBCA shortlisted book characters were brought to life as they explored their own adventures. We also acknowledged Cranbrook readers who inspire excellence in themselves and others through participation in the Premier’s Reading Challenge and the Years 3-6 AR Millionaire’s Club. Mrs Marquet concluded the assembly with a reading of the picture book, When you find the right rock by Mary Lyn Ray and Felicita Sala. Special to our Year 6 students and their current exhibition learning and staff mentors, K-5 students sharing in this story will enhance connection when Year 6 students showcase their Exhibition inquiries later this term.

As we headed towards the end of the week, Kindergarten and Year 1 students, accompanied by our Year 6 Library Monitors, returned to school in their pyjamas and slippers with cuddly friends for Books at Bedtime – a magical evening of stories and awe that has become a much-loved tradition.

Capping off a week of relentless rain, our enthusiasm for the Book Parade was not dampened by the weather. Staff and students embraced this event (held every second year) with absolute gusto supported by Larry the Library Lobster (making his parade debut) accompanied by his offsider Neil, The Boring Amazing Sea Cucumber. Moving into the gym provided a parade runway that allowed all audience members to engage, enjoy and celebrate all participants. Thank you, parents, for supporting ideas and preparation, and for contributing to the significant community spirit on the day. 

Have you heard about the mystery gnomes – where did they come from? No one gnomes! 

In the lead up to Book Week, we have all been bewitched by some curious characters that have been appearing in the Library since late last term. Our solo gnome has lived in the Library window for many years and mysteriously, in recent weeks, was joined by new companions. The students love for imaginative ideas and logical sleuthing culminated in Book Week, when they arrived to find the Library cloaked in darkness – illuminated only by campfire and torchlight. The newly arrived gnomes had set up a campsite to read and reflect. Students were mesmerised by the virtual campfire and the gnomes’ eerily lit tent. We learned that the gnomes were here on their own adventure and had travelled with tiny suitcases from past Book Weeks. Classes loved the scavenger hunt by torchlight to find all 35 themed suitcases ‘lost’ amongst the bookshelves. The activity has proved so popular, it’s become a fun lunchtime pursuit for the still missing suitcases.

Finally, there’s a little surfing bookmark that has also struck a chord with all age groups – a character from the beautifully hand-crafted short film, Much Better Now. I encourage viewing with your sons. As shared with students, the little bookmark reminds us that sometimes we forget to make time for stories. But when we open a book, we open possibilities. Every time we pick up a book, we decide what kind of journey we’ll go on. 

So, this week, and every week, I hope you and your family will find the time to open a book.
Maybe it’s one you’ve never read before.
Maybe it’s one you’ve forgotten about.
Or maybe it’s a book someone recommends and says, “I think you’ll love this.”

Whatever we choose… 

Books are adventures.
Stories are waves waiting to be surfed.
And life, as the film says, is much better now —
when we open a book and begin.

A supportive reading culture is alive and well at Cranbrook.

Kind regards,

Megan Light
Digital Literacy Leader and iCentre Teacher Librarian