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Special Days to Celebrate in your School Library: Term 2 in Australia and New Zealand


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Welcome back to Term 2 of the School Year! 

Are you ready to spice up your library's calendar with some exciting and fun dates? Look no further, because we have got you covered with a list of important, cultural, and fun dates to celebrate throughout the year. As educators, we know the importance of creating a positive and inclusive learning environment for our students. And what better way to celebrate than with some fantastic book recommendations to match each occasion?

From World Refugee Day to Star Wars Day, this list has got something for everyone. Whether you're looking to recognise important historical dates or simply indulge in some light-hearted festivities, these dates will bring a smile to your student’s face and a book in their hands.

So, grab your calendars and get ready to mark these dates down. With these book recommendations, your library will be the place to be for all the best celebrations throughout the year. Let's dive in!

P.S. We have also created a downloadable calendar for each month of this term to make it more accessible (you’re welcome). 

April 2024 - Printable Calendar 

May 2024 - Printable Calendar

June 2024 - Printable Calendar 

April 2024

The Great Kapok Tree Book

Earth Day – 22nd April 

Earth Day is a global event to promote environmental awareness and action. 

To help students learn about the importance of protecting our planet, you can read the book "The Great Kapok Tree" by Lynne Cherry. This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of a man who falls asleep while trying to cut down a giant tree in the rainforest, and the animals who live in the tree trying to convince him to spare it.

The Last ANZAC Book

ANZAC Day – 25th April

Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in honour of Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. 

To help students understand the significance of this day, you can read the book "The Last ANZAC" by Gordon Winch. This book tells the story of the last surviving ANZAC soldier and his memories of serving in World War I.

Ada Twist, Scientist Book

International Girls in ICT Day – 25th April 

International Girls in ICT Day is celebrated on the 4th Thursday in April every year to promote the involvement of young girls and women in the field of Information and Communication Technology. 

To celebrate this day, we recommend "Ada Twist, Scientist" by Andrea Beaty, a book that highlights the importance of technology and the role of girls and women in this field.

May 2024

A New Hope Star Wars Book

Star Wars Day - 4th May

May the 4th be with you! Star Wars Day is a day for Star Wars fans to celebrate and share their love of the franchise. 

To celebrate this day with your students, you can read the book "Star Wars: A New Hope" by Geof Smith. This illustrated adaptation of the classic film is perfect for introducing young readers to the Star Wars universe. 

Love You Forever Book by Robert Munsch

Mother’s Day (Australia) - 12th May 

Mother's Day is a day to honour and appreciate mothers and mother figures. 

To celebrate this day with your students, you can read the book "Love You Forever" by Robert Munsch. This touching story celebrates the special bond between a mother and her child, and the unconditional love that they share.

The Family Book by Todd Parr

International Day of Families - 15th May 

International Day of Families is a day to promote the importance of families and their well-being. 

To celebrate this day with your students, you can read the book "The Family Book" by Todd Parr. This book celebrates all types of families, from single-parent families to same-sex parent families and encourages children to love and appreciate their own families.

Freya & Zoose by Emily Butler Book

National Walk Safely to School Day (Australia) - 17th May

This event promotes the benefits of regular physical activity, reduces traffic congestion and pollution around schools, and teaches children about road safety. 

To celebrate National Walk Safely to School Day with your students, you can read the book "Freya and Zoose" by Emily Butler. The story follows Freya, a young girl who loves walking to school with her dog, Zoose. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles and learn about the importance of being aware of their surroundings and staying safe.

ALIA National Simultaneous Storytime - 22nd May

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is an exciting annual event organised by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) that brings together children, schools, libraries, and bookstores across the country to promote the joy of reading. Each year, a picture book written and illustrated by an Australian author is read simultaneously in different venues. 

This year's book is “Bowerbird Blues” by Aura Parker. It’s a moving story of longing and connection, that unfolds as the bowerbird’s search sends him soaring across the sea, sky and city.

National Sorry Day (Australia) - 26th May 

National Sorry Day is a day of remembrance and apology for the mistreatment of Indigenous children and families through forced removal policies. 

To help students understand the impact of these policies and the importance of saying sorry, you can read the book "Say Yes: A Story of Friendship, Fairness, and a Vote for Hope" by Jennifer Castles. This book tells the story of a group of Indigenous Australians who fought for the right to vote in the 1967 referendum.

June 2024

Just me and my Dad Book

Global Day of Parents - 1st June

The Global Day of Parents celebrates the role of parents in raising and nurturing children. This day recognises the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices that parents make every day to provide for their families. 

"Just Me and My Dad" by Mercer Mayer is a sweet and funny story that celebrates the special bond between a father and his child. The story follows a young bear and his father as they embark on a camping trip together, experiencing all sorts of fun adventures and mishaps along the way.

The Earth Book by Todd Parr

World Environment Day - 5th June

World Environment Day is a day to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our planet and the natural resources that sustain us. 

"The Earth Book" by Todd Parr is a fun and colourful book that teaches children about the environment and what they can do to help protect it. This book is a great way to inspire your students to be environmentally conscious and take action to make a difference in their communities.

The Invisible String by Patrice Karst

Best Friend's Day - 8th June

Best Friend's Day is a day to celebrate the special bond between friends and the importance of friendship in our lives. 

"The Invisible String" by Patrice Karst is a heart-warming story that celebrates the power of love and connection between friends, family, and loved ones. This book is a great way to promote the importance of friendship and encourage your students to appreciate the special relationships they have in their lives.
 

The Journey Book

World Refugee Day - 20th June

World Refugee Day is a day to raise awareness about the plight of refugees around the world and to celebrate their strength and resilience in the face of adversity. 

"The Journey" by Francesca Sanna is a powerful and moving story that explores the experience of a family forced to flee their home and seek refuge in a new country. This book is a great way to promote empathy and understanding for refugees and encourage your students to think about how they can help make a difference in the lives of those in need. 

World Music Day - 21st June

World Music Day is a day to celebrate the universal language of music and its ability to bring people together from all walks of life. 

"Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin" by Lloyd Moss is a fun and engaging book that introduces children to the world of music and different types of instruments. This book is a great way to inspire your students to appreciate music and its ability to bring joy and unity to people all around the world.

Share Your Library's Celebrations

We hope you found this blog helpful in planning your library's events and activities throughout this term.

As you prepare to celebrate these special days, we would love to hear from you and see how your library is bringing them to life. Whether you're creating a display, hosting a book club discussion, or organising a reading marathon, we want to know all about it!

Please feel free to share your photos, ideas, and success stories with us by emailing communications@softlinkint.com. We look forward to seeing your creativity and dedication to promoting literacy and lifelong learning in your school community. Thank you for all that you do!

If you enjoyed this blog post, be sure to check out our Special Days to Celebrate in your School Library  -  For the Start of the Year blog as well! 


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