An Italian lullaby, Fa La Nanna, Bambina (Go to Sleep, Little Girl) - I heard my father sing it many years later to my own children.
Gemma Lyon, Regional Liaison Officer
What was your favourite book as a child?
The Tales of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter was a much loved favourite that I still treasure today. I also loved Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet & Allan Ahlberg and can remember borrowing it from the library over and over again.
Susan McEwan, Education Officer
What was your favourite book as a child?
Matilda by Roald Dahl, because I love the way he plays with language, especially the names of characters. This book has Mr and Mrs Wormwood who are so delightfully horrible, and my particular favourite Dahl villain, Miss Trunchbull.
Sam Knee,Administrative Assistant
Which book had the biggest impression on you as a child?
I discovered Dominic by William Steig when I was about nine years old, and have returned to it every few years. It's an exciting, hopeful, sad and beautiful adventure. The story of a young dog who sets off to see the world started me thinking about all sorts of important human things, and I have a lot to thank it for.
Samantha Hughes, Community Liaison Librarian
What was your favourite book as a child?
My favourite book was a collection of Fairy Tales that had been my Mum’s when she was little. It was battered and held together with sticky tape on the outside... but inside it was filled with magical stories. There were beautiful, glossy, full-page water-colour illustrations to lose myself in. I remember tracing my finger over and over my Mum’s name in the front of the book, and that thrilling feeling of being whisked away to magical lands in every story.
My two favourite books when growing up were The Seven Little Australians by Ethel Turner and a book by Joan Heilroner (illustrated by P.D. Eastman) called Robert the Rose Horse. I still have these books in my collection, and bring them out now and then to read to my Grandchildren.
Jane Jones, Community Literacy & Learning Coordinator
What is your favourite part of your job?
Getting people excited about reading, talking about the enjoyment it brings and sharing stories of the power that reading has to change lives.
Andrew McKenzie, Storeperson
Who was your favourite book character as a child?
Schnitzel Von Krumm from Hairy Mclary from Donaldson's Dairy by Lynley Dodd.
Better Beginnings' Best Friends Forever
Past team members
Sue North, Manager
What was your favourite book as a child?
Alice in Wonderland! I’ve added to my collection over the years and my favourite edition is Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland illustrated by Helen Oxenbury.
Which book had the biggest impression on you as a child?
I read everything I could as a child, from Readers Digest to technical manuals – anything I could get my tiny little hands on. I remember reading Watership Down (by Richard Adams) when I was about 7 or 8, and I don’t think the harrowing bunny-dystopia has ever quite left me. A wonderful (if terrifying) read that really showed me just how powerful words and stories can be – even when they’re about bunnies.
Erika Jellis, Community Awareness Coordinator
What was your favourite book as a child?
I perhaps don't remember one particular book over another more than just the experience of being read to. My dad read to me every night from when I was too young to remember to when I was too old to admit it. He read me Each Peach Pear Plum until I could recite it back to him, Alice in Wonderland until I could read it for myself, The Secret Garden before I understood where the accents he was using came from and so many more.
I always knew reading to my kids was important, but this has opened my eyes to how important and how much. Parent
I tell stories in Vietnamese and read to my children in English. I only started reading English after receiving Better Beginnings. Parent
One mother reads with her four year old every afternoon after school now. She said without these books, they would not have any to read. Teacher, Remote Community School
I always knew reading to my kids was important, but this has opened my eyes to how important and how much. Parent
I think it’s been a wonderful initiative. I feel sure it’s going to benefit both the children and parents and develop links with the library. Teacher
It’s wonderful to have support across the community emphasising the importance of reading and language development. Community Health Nurse
…I never thought of reading to the children. Better Beginnings has really boosted my confidence. Parent
Better Beginnings gave me confidence. I know reading is an everyday tool and teaching my children will help them be more successful in life. Parent
Margaret Robson Kett, Community Liaison Librarian
Damien Webb,
Erika Jellis,
Shirley Reilly,
