Children and families

Talk, Read, Sing, Play

Up to 90 per cent of a child’s brain develops before age five. Talking, reading and singing every day helps their brain grow, and it’s fun.

You are your child’s first and most important teacher. Simple moments like sharing rhymes, singing songs, telling stories or playing together help build their early language and literacy skills.

We offer interactive programs and welcoming children’s spaces that support learning through play. These activities help families build strong early learning habits. 

We run regular sessions, including:

• Baby Bounce
• Story Time
• Other early learning activities
  
  

Find session details

Berky’s book of songs and rhymes

First 5 Forever videos

Stories for Little Queenslanders

Help spark your child’s love of reading with our fun book series created for Queensland’s youngest readers. There are 12 books to explore. Each story features quirky characters, exciting adventures in familiar Queensland places and cheeky animals that will make children smile.

Do koalas really wear striped underpants? What do joeys do in Julia Creek? And will Henry the Hermit Crab ever solve the mystery of the missing egg?

Borrow the books from your local library or read the free flip books below.

Hotel for Bees

In the Deep End

Is this your Egg?

Koalas like to...

Once I Munched a Mango

One Remarkable Reef

Shoosh!

The Little Queenslanders' Alphabet Book

The Coloured Echidna

The Cow that Swam out to Sea

Up and Down on a Rainy Day

My People

Together with Yuwi Aboriginal Language Knowledge Keepers, we have created a range of resources that support educators and families to respectfully include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in classrooms and homes.

Shake your Mulla - Includes local traditional language.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Kits

Based on Eric Carle’s much‑loved story The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Each kit includes:

• Resources that teach children about the life cycle of butterflies
• Different versions of the story to engage children of all ages
• A video of local Elders reading the featured book to guide respectful pronunciation of Yuwi words
  
  

These kits and videos aim to build awareness of the Yuwi language and support its ongoing preservation in our community.

Borrow a kit

Read with Aunty Deb Clark and Uncle Phillip Kemp

Read with Aunty Deb Clark

Look and See at Cape Hillsborough 

Read with Aunty Veronica Ah-wang

Become our PAL

Mackay Regional Council Libraries invite your school to take part in the Preps at the Library (PAL) Program.

What is the PAL program?

PAL is a partnership between local schools and the library.
The program encourages Prep students to become active members of their public library.

Each student receives:

• A library membership card
• A promotional pack to support early language and literacy development

The program aims to build a lifelong love of reading and help children feel confident using their local library.

Benefits for schools and teachers

• Builds strong community connections that support learning and wellbeing
• Gives free access to a wide range of resources for students, teachers and families
• Offers educators an Educators Membership, which includes extra borrowing rights and longer loan periods

Benefits for students

• Encourages families to explore books, resources and programs that support early learning
• Builds confidence and a sense of belonging in their community
• Helps children develop responsibility by caring for their own library card
• Provides opportunities for school or class library visits
• Shows students that libraries are safe and welcoming
• Gives families a place to explore ideas, share stories and learn together

Apply to become a PAL

Learn and play with Berky

Because 90 per cent of brain development happens in the early years, Berky needs the children of Mackay to keep helping him learn. Reading, talking, singing, yarning and rhyming with Berky all support early language and literacy skills.

What is Berky all about?

In 2017, the Mackay Paint the Town REaD Reading Egg visited local kindergartens, schools, early childhood services, playgroups and businesses.

Children helped the Reading Egg grow by reading, talking, singing, yarning and rhyming with it.
When it was ready, the egg hatched and Berky the Brush Turkey became the Mackay Paint the Town REaD mascot.

Berky also travels with two special picture books illustrated by students from Slade Point State School and Eimeo Road State School:

• How the Brush Turkey Lost His Egg
• Birds Don’t Have Birthdays

These stories follow Berky on his adventures and help children get ready for school.

How to get involved

Early childhood services, primary schools, kindergartens, family day care educators, playgroups and community groups can host Berky for up to one week.

During Berky’s visit, children can take part in fun learning activities such as:

• Reading
• Talking
• Singing
• Rhyming
• Playing
• Yarning

Request to host Berky

Berky’s story books

Birds Don't Have Birthdays

Look and see at Cape Hillsborough

How the Brush Turkey Lost his Egg - (senior children)

How the Brush Turkey Lost his Egg - (junior children)