To celebrate Book Week this week, the Independent asked some of Greater Geelong’s librarians and bookshop staff to share their passion for reading.
Amelia Dew, Children’s & Youth Services Librarian, Geelong Regional Libraries (visit Amelia at Lara Library)
What are you currently reading?
I am currently reading The Detective’s Guide to Ocean Travel by Nicki Greenberg. It is shortlisted for the Book of the Year for Younger Readers. It’s a historical mystery set in 1927 on a cruise ship where the priceless Saffron Diamond goes missing and the crime must be solved. It has plenty of red herrings to keep the pages turning. It’s a great read for kids aged nine to 12.
Favourite childhood book?
Just one? My favourite book as a child was Bottersnikes and Gumbles by SA Wakefield. The bottersnikes are awful, angry creatures who prey on the sweet, squishy, giggly gumbles and trap them in jam tins so they can’t escape. It has a strong message about protecting our environment that is even more relevant today than it was in 1967 when the book was first published.
Favourite book of all time?
As Albus Dumbledore says, “Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic.” My favourite book has to be the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling. She reintroduced a generation of children to the joys and wonder of reading. They changed the face of publishing and proved that children were capable of reading longer books than were previously available. They also paved the way for myriad authors to publish fantasy genre books.
