The launch of the new book for young readers and their families, Sylvia and the Birds, by North Shore author and academic Johanna Emeney, and author and illustrator Sarah Laing, was a huge success at Takapuna Library in early September. The library was fairly bursting at the seams with nearly 130 people turning up to pay tribute to the remarkable life of North Shore icon Sylvia Durrant, aka ‘The Bird Lady’, who has rescued countless thousands of birds over the years. Johanna made the classiest author speech ever, complete with slides, and made wonderful connections to all the people in the room who had links to ‘The Bird Lady’ and book project. Sylvia was present and full of smiles. Young conservationist Charlie Thomas, one of the stars of the book, made a guest appearance and ‘The Bird Whisperer’ Tim Lovegrove did the launch honours. The Friends of Takapuna Library provided their usual incredible spread of food platters and liquid refreshments. What a magical and memorable evening! Photos courtesy of Simon Runting and Jenny Cole.