This Sunday 11 September is National Bilby Day.  These delightful furry Australians now have a special day of their own, as NATIONAL BILBY DAY was officially launched in 2005 and the celebrations are held on the second Sunday of September annually.

The FREE September issue of Melbourne's Child magazine is now available at your nearest Mitchell Library branch.  This issue is all about health, with information about developments relating to stem cells, a guide to aquatic and recreation centres, information on decoding the data on food labels, eczema and helping disadvantaged young people.

With the end of this year's sculpture competition, the Children's Book Council of Australia have just announced the theme for 2012 - Champion's Read, so if you're planning to enter next year, that'll be our sculpture competition's theme too!  Book Week runs from Saturday 18 – Friday 24 August so you have plenty of time to create something suitably champion-like.

Song of the week...
Going on a Bear Hunt



We're goin' on a bear hunt,
We're going to catch a big one,
I'm not scared
It's a beautiful day!


Oh look! It's some long, wavy grass!
Can't go over it,
Can't go under it,
Can't go around it,
Got to go through it!
(Make arm motions like you're going through
long grass and make swishing sounds)


We're goin' on a bear hunt,
We're going to catch a big one,
I'm not scared
It's a beautiful day!


Oh look! It's a mushroom patch.
Can't go over it,
Can't go under it,
Can't go around it,
Got to go through it!
(Pretend to go through the patch
making popping sounds by clasping
fingers together and clapping hands)


We're goin' on a bear hunt,
We're going to catch a big one,
I'm not scared
It's a beautiful day!

Oh look! It's a wide river.
Can't go over it,
Can't go under it,
Can't go through it,
Got to swim across it.
(Pretend to swim and
make splashing sounds)


We're goin' on a bear hunt,
We're going to catch a big one,
I'm not scared
It's a beautiful day!


Oh look! A deep, dark cave.
Can't go over it,
Can't go under it,
Can't go through it,
Got to go in it.
(Pretend you're in a cave)

Uh, oh! It's dark in here.
I feel something,
It has lots of hair!
It has sharp teeth!


It's a bear!

Hurry back through the river,
(Pretend to swim
and make splashing sounds)
Back through the mushroom patch,
(Make popping sounds)
Back through the long grass
(Make motions like you're
going through grass
and make swishing sounds)
Run in the house and lock the door.
(Make a loud clap sound)
Phew! That was close!

I'm not afraid!

Cool things to do...

Come along to one of our FREE Storytime and Rhymetime sessions - at all Mitchell libraries.

Head to Alexandra on Sunday 11 September from 10-4 for some steam train fun with "Singing into Spring at the Station". There will be a platform BBQ, refreshments and souvenirs and the local logging museum will be open. Entry and train ride $5 with children 3 and under free.  For more information, contact Jane on 0427 509 988 or visit http://www.alexandratramway.org.au.  Location: Station Street, Alexandra. That's it for this week.  See you next time!