Meet the Storyteller: Lizzi

Favourite type of Storytime and why?  

I truly love all Storytimes because I value supporting kids on their early literacy journey and fostering a love of reading and play. This was one of the core reasons I became a librarian in the first place!  

Preschool Storytime is always particularly fun because the kids that come along are really engaged in reading, while also being excited to get involved in the singing and dancing that goes on during the session.  

Fav Storytime songs:  

‘Open, Shut Them’ has been a favourite children’s song of mine since I was a kid. Despite it being well over twenty years since I was singing it at kinder, 'Open, Shut Them’ is still a huge hit for kids (and adults) of all ages! I also love ‘Heads and Shoulders,’ ‘Three Little Ducks,’ and ‘A Sailor Went to Sea.’  

Puppets or Props or Mascot?  

I love using soft toys and puppets of animals during my Storytime sessions. I play a game that involves singing ‘Old Macdonald’ where I get everyone to shout out the names of each animal and the sound that they make as I reveal them from a mystery box. This one is a real crowd pleaser, and it’s super fun to hear everyone yell out their loudest “MOO!” “MEOW!” “NEIGH!” or “ROAR!” when I present the animals.  

What happens after Storytime?  

Recently at the end of my Storytime sessions we’ve been doing a little Dance Party to get all of our energy out! In the Yarra-me Djila Theatrette we are lucky enough to have lights that come in all different colours. I set up the space with rainbow lights and we dance around together, showing off our favourite moves.  Our favourite musician to dance to? Harry Styles, of course.  

Favourite local place to get your coffee? 

For coffee, I love to go to Whispers café which is in the building at Ivanhoe Library. The staff are always very friendly and bubbly, and their coffee is delicious.  Coffee is always best with a sweet treat, so I head down to Gotham Donuts and get a glazed cinnamon scroll.   

Children’s Books I Love for Storytime :

I Am Not a Prince! by Rachael Davis

On a misty lagoon in a fairy tale land, young frogs wait patiently to be turned into magical princes. But one little frog is different . . . Hopp definitely does NOT want to be a prince! When Hopp sets out on a journey to find their true self, everyone assumes the little frog is destined to be a prince . . . how could such a strong, brave, and kind frog be anything else? But all it takes is one understanding new friend to help Hopp undergo a magical transformation that causes a positive change to ripple all across the lagoon!

Come Together: Things Every Aussie Kid Should Know About the First Peoples by Isaiah Firebrace

In this book, Isaiah, a Yorta Yorta and Gunditjmara man, establishes a foundation of First Nations knowledge with 20 key topics and connects us to each topic through his own personal story and culture, from the importance of Elders to the Dreaming.

Roary the Lion by Rory H. Mather

All Lions roar, right? Not Roary and he's supposed to be the King of the Jungle!

Try as he might, poor Roary has trouble finding his voice.

Can his friends help him find his bellow or will he be left with a tiny squeak?

Can You Dance? By Sally Morgan

Written by one of Australia's best loved authors, this board book will get toddlers and preschoolers up off their feet following the actions of the animals featured in the book.

They'll soon be flapping their arms like a scary magpie's wings, stomping their feet like a cheeky wombat and dancing like a silly lizard, along with the actions of five other animals.

Our Family Pledge by Emmaline Carroll Southwell

This is the perfect book for any family that wants to teach their children compassion for themselves, others and the planet.

Featuring messages of kindness woven into memorable verses, Our Family Pledge is a universal set of promises designed to be practised and passed down through generations.

My Shadow is Pink by Scott Stuart

This is a beautifully written rhyming story that touches on the subjects of gender identity, self acceptance, equality and diversity. Inspired by the author's own little boy, Shadow's main character likes princesses, fairies and things 'not for boys'...he soon learns (through the support of his dad) that everyone has a shadow that they sometimes feel they need to hide.

This is an important book for a new generation of children which exemplifies the concepts of unconditional love, respect and positive parenting.