Tales of Intergenerational Adventures - Let's Get Lost in a Book Together!

Hold onto your hats, bookworms, because Australia's Book Week is back for 2025, and it's ready to help us "Book an Adventure!"

While the schools are buzzing with dress-ups and parades, let's shine a spotlight on the true heroes of storytelling: our grandparents! They're the keepers of old stories and the discoveries of new ones, and Book Week is the perfect excuse for an intergenerational reading party.

Imagine a cozy nook, a giggling grandchild, and the comforting rumble of a grandparent's voice bringing a story to life. That's not just reading; it's an adventure! It's a journey to far-off lands, a quest to meet fantastical creatures, and a treasure hunt for wisdom, all from the comfort of your own living room. These are the moments that make a childhood sparkle, the whispers of "once upon a time" that stick with you forever.

Why is it so much fun? Well, for starters, grandparents are masters of the dramatic pause and the goofy voice. They've had a lifetime of practice! They can make a wicked witch sound truly warty and a brave knight sound extra noble. Reading with grandparents isn't about being on the right page; it's about getting lost in the story together, pointing out silly pictures, and laughing so hard that you have to stop and catch your breath.

Beyond the giggles, these shared stories are like a secret handshake between generations. They're a chance for Nan to share the books she loved as a little girl or for Pop to show off his amazing animal noises. Book Week 2025 is a golden ticket for grandparents to "Book an Adventure" with their grandchild, passing on their love of reading like a precious heirloom. It's a chance to build a bridge between their world and their grandchild's, one page at a time.

Book Week isn't just for staying in! Keep an eye out for whimsical events at your local library or community center. You might find a storytelling session where seniors are the main characters, or a workshop where you can create your own magical stories and illustrations together. It's all about celebrating the joy of reading in a big colourful way.

So, this Book Week, let's think of all the grandparents out there, invite them to spend some time with their grandkids exploring the world of a good book, whether it's one that has been read a thousand times, or discovering a new story together. And, if not in person, then look to using technology to your advantage - the ability to chat via video calls is a wondrous thing as you can see the joy on a child's face, and yes, sometimes even their boredom, or sleepiness.

When a story is shared with love, it's not just a tale - it's a memory in the making. And that is the most wonderful kind of magic there is!