International Children's Book Day, April 2 2023

The Yoto Carnegies are the UK's longest running and best-loved children's book awards, recognising outstanding reading experiences created through writing for children and young people.

The Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing is awarded by children's librarians for an outstanding book written in English for children and young people.

This year's shortlist is:

I Must Betray You - Ruta Sepetys

The Light in Everything - Katya Balen

Medusa - Jessie Burton

When Shadows Fall - Sita Brahmachari

Needle - Lawrence Patrice

The Blue Book of Nebo - Steffan Ros

Eternal Return of Clara Hart - Louise Finch

Which one do you think will be announced the winner in June? These titles are, or will be, available to borrow from Aura libraries as either a book or e-book or eAudiobook. You can browse these titles and hundreds more on our online library catalogue!

Let us know what you think about the titles, find us on social media - @LlyfrgelloeddAuraLibraries on Facebook and Instagram and @LibFlintshire on Twitter.

Aura Library members can download e-books and audiobooks free of charge from Borrowbox and Libby to a PC, Laptop or Mac. Alternatively, you can download the Borrowbox and Libby apps directly to a smartphone or tablet.

To access most online library resources you will need to enter your library membership number and pin. If you do not have this then you can join up as a member online via the Aura website for instant access. All links and further details about our digital library resources can be found here: www.aura.wales/libraries

Easter activities with Aura Libraries

Looking for something to do with the family over the Easter holidays? Pop in to your local library and join one of our many free activities. Plus all our libraries are Warm Welcome spaces, so you can relax together with a hot drink and have some fun. All our libraries also have games you can play together.

Over the holidays there will be Lego Club in every library on a Saturday morning to create fantastic structures or why not pop in to one of our craft sessions? Broughton Library is running special craft sessions each Thursday at 2pm. Our Rhymetimes will be continuing throughout the holidays for younger children too.

Read more: "Great sense of wonder" on visit to historic Flintshire library site

If you want to create something really special there is a fully funded Family Sea Glass Art Workshop at Mold Library on Wednesday, April 12, at 2pm. Places are limited so call 01352 703780 to book your place.

Or you can join our partners from Menter Iaith Fflint a Wrecsam for special stories and crafts with Magi Ann on Tuesday, April 4. Magi Ann will be at Connah's Quay Library at 10.30am and Buckley Library at 1.30pm.

For all details of our Easter holiday activities please visit https://aura.wales/holiday-activities/

Decoupage workshops with artist Simon Grennan

If you want some time out during the holidays to get creative and learn a new skill why not sign up to one of our fantastic workshops on Thursday, April 13. These sessions are fully funded for anyone aged 19 or over as part of the North East Wales Adult Community Learning Partnership.

Make Your Own Fantastic 'Decoupage' Trinket Box to Take Home: Shabby Chic is all the rage. You will learn how to make gorgeous cut and paste decoration and make and take home your own large trinket box. You will use stunning, original Victorian illustrations to cut, arrange, colour and paste. Artist Simon Grennan will inspire you with decorative ideas and techniques .All materials are provided.

Mold Library- Thursday, April 13, 10.30am-12.30pm

Flint Library- Thursday, April 13, 2pm-4pm

To book your place on either session email ACL@aura.wales

Free workshops for parents and toddlers

Aura libraries are working in partnership with Speech and Language Therapy team and are bringing the following FREE events to libraries.

A Free workshop on Signing Awareness for parents and children aged up to 3 years will be held at

• Deeside Library on March 27 and April 3, 10.30am-11.30am.

• Holywell library April 5 and April 12, 11am-noon.

Signing is a great way to support language and communication development. Using gesture alongside spoken words, signing helps to support understanding and use of language skills as well as helping to reduce children's frustration. It gives them an alternative communication method whilst their language skills are still developing.

Coming soon at Broughton Library - Baby Babble for 3-18 months babies, four weekly sessions staring on May 18, 2pm-3pm. Free activity pack included. Friendly play sessions exploring how to keep your baby talking.

For further information or to book a place on any of these sessions please contact Amy via amy.crowther@wales.nhs.uk

Visit us on social media to view handy information about our services, events, and lots of book and audiobook recommendations.

From everyone here at Aura Libraries, thank you for reading and we hope to hear from you or see you soon!

• Aura is a charitable, not-for-profit, organisation responsible for managing the majority of leisure, libraries and heritage services in Flintshire. Aura is owned by its employees and operates for the benefit of local communities.