Ask a librarian, Cities & towns, Such was life, Victorian history:
Librarian Daniel Giddens reconnects with one of his favourite children’s stories, ‘The silver brumby’, sharing what makes it so special to him, as well as exploring the background of its author, and the history and significance of its publication.
Collection Care, Conservation, Uncategorized:
At State Library Victoria we have close to 1000 pop-up and movable books, ranging from the mid-1600s to present day. These items represent one of few three-dimensional, interactive mediums in history that has enduring appeal. However, with great ingenuity come considerable conservation challenges. Learn about the factors that make pop-up and movable books so captivating, yet uniquely susceptible to physical wear and tear.
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:
State Library Victoria has a collection of more than 4000 children’s books in our browsing collection, all of which are available in the Pauline Gandel Children’s Quarter. The collection spans from durable board books for the youngest learners to engaging graphic novels and detailed non-fiction for older children. With so many books to view we have created a collection discovery page to help families find the right book for them.
Collection, Rare Books & Arts:
To celebrate the Children’s Book Council of Australia Week, we pay tribute to the life of children’s literature collector, Ken Pound, and the collection he has left for us all.
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories:
Ever wonder what books were available for children 200 years ago? Keen to try your hand at some eighteenth and nineteenth century board games?
Trace the development of children’s reading, learning and play with the Children’s Literature and Culture database.
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories:
Farewell to Shirley Hughes, English author and illustrator of beloved children’s books Dogger and the Alfie series.
![Detail of Blinky Bill and Mrs Koala, Dorothy Wall, [between 1933 and 1940?]; H2015.180/28](https://blogs.slv.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/is009117-120x120.jpg)
Collection Care, Conservation:
Blinky Bill has been a favourite amongst Australian children since he first made an appearance in the 1933 book Blinky Bill: The Quaint Little Australian. A collection of drawings by author and illustrator Dorothy Wall (1894–1942) were recently acquired by the Library – several of which have come to the Conservation Lab for assessment and treatment.
Arts & literature, Our stories:
In the early twentieth century, author Leslie Brooke developed new techniques that were to influence many in what became the Golden Age of Children’s books.
John Marsden has received the 2018 Dromkeen medal for his enduring passion for and contribution to Australian children’s literature and children’s education. Find out which books were important to him as a child.
Willy Pogany (born Vilmos Andras Pogany) was a prolific contributor during the Golden Age of children’s book illustration, whose career broadened from children’s book illustration to portraiture and set designs for opera and ballet.
