In honour of National Grief Week, 19th – 26th May, I set about donating copies of my Sage and the Journey of Grief children’s books across New South Wales and Victoria. It was more happenstance that a road trip for a dear friend’s wedding had fallen in the same week, allowing me to take copies on my car ride. So I jumped at the chance to give back in honour of my departed loved ones.

I started locally, setting about on my much-loved e-bike around Wollongong. In most circumstances I think I’d fly right by the street libraries, they’re often tucked away waiting for curious minds and book lovers alike to find them. They’re usually adorable wooden and glass-cased units, brimming with stories that will delight and intrigue young and old minds. Of course, I love them! Libraries and the sharing of knowledge through the written word is one of the most valuable forms of learning. Add in cute little cabinets and book shelves and I am completely won over.

I knew of one close by libraries that I had passed on my way through my local shopping mall, the rest I found documented by the invaluable website Street Library Australia. My road trip included a special stop at Heathcote, Vic, my hometown where I grew up after my mum passed away and where she is also buried. I was pleasantly surprised to find one little library in the area of my small town of 3,000.