He is the bestselling author of more than 20 books which include the iconic Old Tom, Mr Chicken Goes to Paris and Horrible Harriet, to name just a few. He has a subversive humour that delights children and adults alike.

Leigh has committed his two-year term as Australian Children's Laureate "to champion creative opportunities for children, and to highlight the essential role libraries play in nurturing our creative lives."  

Parkes Library is hosting Leigh's visit on September 13 and 14, which includes a range of events.

School children from across the shire will learn about storytelling using pictures and creating characters that inspire.

On Wednesday evening, September 13, will present a free session for parents and interested adults at 6pm.

This entertaining talk will help parents encourage children to read, to learn, explore and experience.

Bookings are essential on 6861 2309 or library@parkes.nsw.gov.au.

The library team is pleased to announce some very special events for the 2017 Parkes Fun Palace - A family science show, and robotics and coding for all ages.

The global Fun Palaces movement believes in the genius in everyone, in everyone an artist and everyone a scientist, and that creativity in community can change the world for the better.

Parkes Library will become the Parkes Fun Palace on Saturday, September 23, from 9am to 3pm.

At 9.30am Fizzics Education from Sydney presents their "Big Science Big Fun Show", a family event that features craziness such as flying toilet paper, gigantic bubbles, coloured shadows and electricity experiments.

At the conclusion of the family show Fizzics Education's robotic workshops will commence:

11am - Beebots - Beginner robotics for students in Kinder, Year 1 and 2.

12.30pm - Lego Robotics - Lego robots, “Mindstorms”, for students in year 3-6.

1.45pm - Lego Robotics - Programming robots for year 7-10 students.

There are limited places for these workshops.

Bookings are required in person at Parkes Library.

Throughout the rest of the day the Library will be filled with hands on activities, families can create, make and experience together.

This will include a scavenger hunt, fidget spinner art, racing cars, straw rockets, drawing shadows, catapulting cows and many more fun activity stations.

Members from the Central West Astronomical Society will be on hand for some day time sky gazing.

Library Officers Sandie Ward and Debbie Gould have been planning for Fun Palace since January.

"We are very much looking forward to the visit by Fizzics Education and their interactive science show and workshops," Sandie said.

“We both hope to inspire kids to learn more about the world around them.”

The Parkes Library team invites the community join them for the day.

All the activities are set up, instructions supplied, and entry into Big Science Big Fun show is free.

For more information, contact Parkes Library on 6861 2309, library@parkes.nsw.gov.au or visit www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.