School holiday fun for Porirua Library
Parents need no longer fret about how to keep their children entertained these school holidays, with Porirua public library’s A Long Hot Summer Story Festival back for its sixth year.
Porirua Children’s Librarian Bee Trudgeon says that there is a huge amount of variety and the event covers all the ways you can tell stories- from writing, to music and puppetsthere’s something for everyone.
The launch party is to be held on December 20 at 4pm with storytellers PlayShop there for some improvised and interactive fun.
Other highlights will be the scavenger hunts, competitions, giveaways, and visits from authors such as Mark Sommerset (Baa, Baa, Smart Sheep, and I Love Lemonade) and Juliette Jacka (the Frankie Potts mysteries), among many others.
The festival runs for five weeks, ending on January 20 with a disco for those who have attended four events at the library and collected their corresponding stamps.
All events are free and designed for kids aged 3 to 12, but Trudgeon likes to think the adults will get something out of it too.
‘‘Anything we put on for the children we would enjoy ourselves as adults, particularly events like the writing workshops.’’
She says she is particularly looking forward to author Mark Sommerset who is visiting from Waiheke Island, and who will also make a visit to the Cannons Creek branch.
Another favourite is musician Kylie Welch, who will hold a collective songwriting event.
‘‘[Kylie’s] session will be typical of the sort of highly interactive workshops the festival has become known for.’’
Over a thousand people came through the festival last year and organisers expect even more this time around.
‘‘We’re really proud of it- the event gets bigger and better every year and it’s completely unique to Porirua,’’ Trudgeon said.
A full timetable of events can be found on the Porirua Library website.