Explore the imaginative world of Clara Capybara at Special Storytime sessions with award-winning children’s author Aleesah Darlison at local libraries this week.
Join in the fun at Bundaberg Library on 26 March at 10 am, Gin Gin Library on 26 March at 1.30 pm and Childers Library on 27 March at 10 am.
Little library-goers will enjoy a reading from Aleesah’s book Clara Capybara and learn more about these little creatures with craft and sensory sessions and a cosy Capybara Corner available for plushie cuddles and photos.
Aleesah told us more about her writing and what children can expect from the Special Storytime event:
Tell us a bit more about your picture book Clara Capybara
As everyone knows, capybaras are the cutest and friendliest animals in the world!
I just love them, which is why I had to write a book about them.
The main character in the book, Clara, has a big problem, though.
She can’t say no.
She’s so busy trying to keep everyone else happy that she forgets to look after herself.
With a gentle nudge from her mum, Clara learns how to set personal boundaries so she can take better care of herself and others.
Which is an important lesson for us all.
What inspired you to start writing children’s books?
I had wanted to be a writer for a long time and having children of my own helped shape my stories.
It felt natural to start writing for children.
Besides which, it’s a fun genre to write for because anything can happen in a children’s story so you get to give your imagination a workout!
What can children expect from this special storytime session?
These sessions are much more than just a book reading – they’re an immersive capybara experience.
Children get to meet me (the author!) and my giant Clara Capybara teddy, who is always a big hit.
There’s a fun, interactive reading of the story and a chance to take photos in the capybara selfie frame.
We also have the cosy Capybara Tent, where children can relax with and cuddle plenty of capybara toys before moving onto a range of creative activities like colouring-in and making their own capybara postcards.
The session is playful, memorable and inclusive.
Why do you think it’s important to hold these kinds of events at our local libraries?
It’s all about connection – connecting children with books, stories and the love of reading.
Libraries play a crucial role in our communities with their welcoming, inclusive spaces and there could be no better place to have this event.
Story time sessions like this one bring books to life for children and allow them to see that there’s a real person behind the books on the shelves.
This feeds into creating a love of books and stories for them, it promotes literacy and helps foster a lifelong journey into reading – all of which is so very important.
Special Storytime: Cutest Ever Capybara CelebrationÂ
Bundaberg Library
When: Thursday 26 March at 10 am
Cost: Free, bookings required here.
Gin Gin Library
When: Thursday 26 March at 1.30 pm
Cost: Free, bookings required here.
Childers Library
When: Friday 27 March at 10 am
Cost: Free, bookings required here.
