Botanic Gardens to come alive with cute characters

The picnic, hosted by Mackay Regional Council Libraries, will feature 18 stallholders, roving puppets, face painting, a Baby Bounce and a Story Time session.

It will be held at the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens next Thursday, August 25, from 9.30am to 11.30am.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the event was aimed at families with children up to five years of age.

“If you’ve got young children, this is a tremendous morning out that’s both enjoyable and educational,” Mayor Williamson said.

“There will be 16 different providers of family services at the picnic as well as face painting and Ros with her Wild Puppets,” he said.

“This is the biggest event on the calendar for our Library’s First Five Forever team and the atmosphere is amazing.

“There are hundreds of fairy tale and book characters, as well as a good spread of superheroes, Disney princesses and the occasional Wiggle.

“There’s plenty of games being played and usually multiple bubble machines running non-stop.

“It’s a sensational way for the team to spread the message of just how important early literacy is.

“Research shows that reading, singing and playing with children for the first five years of their lives has a big impact on their future development.

“Simple things like joining a Story Time or a Baby Bounce at your local library, or at an event like Picnic in the Park, can teach parents great tips for stimulating their child’s literacy development.”

This year’s Children’s Book Council of Australia Book Week theme is “Dreaming with eyes open”.

This theme encourages readers to explore their own story, to listen to Country as the first storyteller and to learn from friends that help them along the way.