Lunch with the Stars

On Tuesday, September 2nd, fifteen of our hardworking Library Leaders attended ‘Lunch with the Stars’ in Dee Why, an event organized by the CBCA (Children’s Book Council of Australia) NSW Branch Northern Sydney Sub-branch to celebrate Book Week 2025. Over twenty Australian children’s authors and illustrators were also present, sharing their enthusiasm and valuable experiences with students from a number of schools from the northern Sydney area.

This year the special guests who addressed the luncheon were the awesome author/illustrator Aura Parker, who led a group art lesson, and talented author Nathan Luff who entertained the young guests with wise words and funny anecdotes. An assigned author or illustrator sat at each table – our two tables hosted author Amanda Leiber (‘My giant sea shell’) – and illustrator Jules Faber. The students were able to ask questions and chat about the creative process that leads to the publication of their books. After lunch the students mingled with all the other author/illustrators in the room, getting their autographs and chatting about their books. Our Library Leaders dressed the part (as pirates, inspired by Amanda Leiber’s book and as travellers inspired by the CBCA 2025 theme of ‘Book an Adventure’) and decorated the table to match their themes.

A big thank you to all the parent volunteers that drove the students to and from the event.

“Lunch With The Stars is when local authors come to tell kids about the books they have written, give autographs and have lunch. This year the Library Leaders went to Dee Why RSL to participate. We had two tables with one author per table, one was Jules Faber, the illustrator of Weirdo and on the other table was Amanda Leiber, the author of My Giant Sea Shell. It was great to listen to all the authors tell stories from their books and from their life. It was also very fun going and getting signatures from authors all around the room and even some messages or sketches of characters in their books. Over all, Lunch With The Stars was a great experience and only one of the few amazing things you do as a Library Leader.” – Beatrix R (5B)

“I loved Lunch With The Stars, and it’s just one of the many excitements of being a Library Leader. All of the authors there were really energetic and all had positive personalities. Meeting each of the authors gave me inspiration and perspective for writing my own books. It was also fun collecting signatures and reading all the special messages from each author.” – Sophie F (5B)

Our Library Leaders who attended: Halle B (5B), Amy C (5H), Sophie F (5B), Audrey T (5H), Millie D (5B), Georgie M (5B), Kate S (5B), Beatrix R (5B), Lana M (6H), Natalie B (6H), Sarah C (6L), Grace R (6L), Felicia SL (6L), Emily M (6L) and Sophia S (6H). Pictured with Mrs Parker, Amanda Leiber and Jules Faber.

Mrs Parker (Teacher Librarian)