What are we reading in the Corner this October

Jacaranda Magic written by Dannika Patterson and illustrated by Megan Forward

From above came a whisper, a wishy-wish-wish.

Flowers flew free with a sway and a swish.

It’s October, and in many parts of Queensland, October means blooming jacaranda trees! To celebrate spring and connect with nature, the team at the Corner are reading Jacaranda Magic (2019) written by Dannika Patterson and illustrated by Megan Forward.

Jacaranda Magic is a gentle, sparsely worded rhyming picture book that celebrates imaginative play and the important role boredom and nature have in the learning lives of children.

The book opens with five friends feeling bored on a hot summer day. There’s nothing to do and they don’t have anything fun to play with. Just when they think they’ll never do anything exciting ever again, a gust of wind stirs the purple jacaranda flowers… and their imaginations.

The illustrations in Jacaranda Magic are beautifully drawn by Megan Forward who has been shortlisted for the CBCA award twice. The characters are from diverse backgrounds and are different ages. The illustrations feel both nostalgic and gentle with sketchy pencil outlines and warm, summer colours. Not to mention, the very purple jacaranda flowers!

Jacaranda flowers drift, sail and even shoot across the pages of the book forming the imagined shapes of mermaids, genies, arrows from an archer’s bow, and even a deep purple sea. The branches of the jacaranda also re-shape using the power of the children’s imaginative play and become a long-necked dragon, a rocket blasting into space, the mast of a boat, and the turret of a medieval castle. 

While spending time in nature is very important for the wellbeing of young children, playing regularly outside is not always possible for families and finding safe spaces to play with your baby outside can be difficult. Which is why our First 5 Forever team is offering Rhyme Time under the boughs of the old Poinciana tree on the River Decks at State Library every Tuesday (while the weather is good) from 10-10.30. Laying under the boughs of the poinciana, baby can experience the dappled light trickling through the canopy and the sound of leaves rustling in the breeze.

If you can’t make it to the State Library this October, why not take baby for a visit to a jacaranda or lovely old tree in your area? The best part about First 5 Forever learning activities is that they can be experienced anywhere and at any time.

For more information about how you can support your baby’s health and wellbeing through reading and imaginative play, visit a Story, Rhyme or Play time at The Corner at State Library of Queensland or attend a First 5 Forever session at your own local library.  If you can’t make a session, you can also visit The Parlour at State Library and read with your little one. And remember, you’re never too young to be a member of your local library – you can join baby up from birth and borrow Jacaranda Magic by Dannika Patterson and illustrated by Megan Forward to read and enjoy sitting under a tree in your community.

This month Dannika Patterson visited State Library for the launch of her latest book, ‘I Can’t Wait to Play’ in collaboration with First 5 Forever partner Play Matters.

What else are we reading in The Corner?

Scribbly Gum Secrets by Dannika Patterson and illustrated by Megan Forward

Nature All Around Us by Kimberly Engwicht

Perfect by Danny Parker and illustrated by Freya Blackwood