Children's Book Festival Family Fun Day: State Library Victoria 2012

What a day! Children everywhere.

From 10.00 am - 400pm the State Library of Victoria and forecourt was packed with authors, illustrators, publishers, entertainers, storytellers.

For a change - I had nothing to do except wander around snapping friends in action and helping lug the gear.

Victoria has nurtured so many talented folk working to produce beautiful books. Our authors and illustrators are celebrated well beyond the borders.

Snapped here are Leigh Hobbs - artist, author and globetrotter. Leigh has a brilliant website where you can get a glimpse the breadth of his talent. Leigh is so many things - enviably multi talented.

And then there was Graham Davey snapped outside the YABBA tent in Little Lonsdale. YABBA stands for Young Australians' Best Book Award. A non-for-profit group that seeks to ignite curiosity and inspire a passion in young people for reading.

Friend, Claire Saxby was busy for hours meeting her fans. Her book There was an Old Sailor is in schools, libraries and kindergartens wherever I go. The illustrations by Cassandra Allen continue to amaze me - they are just so right!

And these folk were just the tip of the iceberg.

Thanks SLV. It was a wonderful day and I loved seeing you all in those yellow t-shirts. No one escaped it seems and you were all so friendly and patient with the throng.

And finally let me say - the Exhibition: Love and devotion: from Persia and Beyond - rare illustrated Persian manuscripts is gobsmackingly gorgeous. The depth of this exhibition is extraordinary. I recommend a visit to get acquainted with the works and then a second visit with a guide.

A must for story lovers! or just lovers!