Director of Mary Bailey House and OOSH

Book Week celebrations

Both Mary Bailey House (MBH) and OOSH celebrated Book Week as books and spaces for reading are prioritised in both settings.

At MBH the 2025 theme Book an Adventure was explored in each playroom through a book that took the children on an adventure.

In Cradle Mountain, our infants and toddlers were read Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The children were enthralled by the different foods the tiny caterpillar ate on his journey to becoming a beautiful butterfly. In Lilly Pilly Gully, Pamela Allen’s book Mr McGee and the Big Bag of Bread took the children on a misadventure through the zoo. The children enjoyed the antics that ensued as Mr McGee met animals during his visit. In Daintree Rainforest, our preschoolers followed a duckling on an adventure through Sydney’s Botanical Gardens to find his family in Pamela Allen book Alexander’s Outing. The books were read throughout the week in each playroom and the children were invited to create a hat to reflect their appreciation of the story that they wore at our Book Week celebrations.

Our Book Week were also supported by teacher and MBH grandparent Anne Turner visiting to read We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. The children enjoyed Anne’s animated telling and acting out of this much-loved book.

At OOSH the theme was celebrated across the week with a variety of experiences that connected the children with our message that, A Book is a Dream that you Hold in your Hands. During the week the children were involved in making their own Hary Potter Adventure and making bookmarks. The week culminated with a  book week parade. The children arrived in their favourite costumes inspired by beloved stories and characters that included Princess Peach, Minions, the Very Hungry Caterpillar, Dogman, the Bad guys and Joy from Inside Out.

Jackie Baxter
Director of Mary Bailey House and OOSH