The 2026 Children’s Book Week theme is ‘Symphony of Stories’.
Celebrate the magic of stories during Children’s Book Week with free virtual excursions! Join award-winning authors, illustrators, and Library educators for engaging online sessions that bring books to life.
Available across Australia, these interactive experiences are a wonderful way to inspire young readers and celebrate a love of literacy.
Science Storytime
Join Science Storytime in the lead up to Book Week. This event is a wonderful intersection between National Science Week (15 – 23 August) and Book Week. Authors will join us to read their books and answer questions. These 30 minute live virtual excursion are suitable for libraries, schools, home school groups and individual families.
Join Cassy Polimeni as she reads the final instalment of the Ella series; Ella and the Call of the Wild.
“Did you know every frog species has its own call? It helps them find each other in the wild. Mostly they sing love songs to find friends or partners. Sometimes they use their voice as a warning…”
Monday 17 August at 11am AEST Register Now
Join us for Rakali of the Riverbank read by author Stephanie Owen Reeder. Explore a night in the life of a rakali, an Australian native water rat – recently voted Australia’s most underrated native animal.
As the sun sets, Rakali prepares to patrol the riverbank. He’s on a mission to fill his belly, protect his pups and keep his home safe. But he must face feral foxes, disease-carrying black rats and toxic cane toads. Will he make it safely back to his burrow before the sun rises?
Tuesday 18 August at 11am AEST Register Now
Join author Julie Murphy for a reading of her book Cheer Up, Blobfish!
It’s the Festival of Fish – the biggest party of the year! Everyone seems to be having a great time … except for Blobfish. The clownfish tells some jokes, the sawfish does magic tricks and the dolphin swims loop-the-loops. So why is Blobfish not smiling?
Cheer Up, Blobfish! is a celebration of difference starring one very misunderstood sea creature.
Thursday 20 August at 11am AEST Register Now
Book Week with Sandhya Parappukkaran
Bilingual children’s author Sandhya Parappukkaran explores what ‘home’ means.
Monday 24 August 2026 at 10:00 am – 10:30 am AEST
Book Week with Charlotte Barkla
Meet author Charlotte Barkla and have fun with stories.
Monday 24 August 2026 at 2pm – 2:30 pm AEST
Book Week with Jazz Money
Multi-award-winning Wiradjuri poet and artist Jazz Money shares the inspiration behind her picture book The Frog’s First Song.
Tuesday 25 August 2026 at 10:00 am – 10:45 am AEST
Book Week: Chasing the prize
Come on a creative writing adventure as we explore the 5 Elements of Plot, inspired by one of the State Library’s stories.
Tuesday 25 August 2026 at 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm AEST
Book Week with Katrin Dreiling
This Book Week, enjoy a workshop with Katrin Dreiling, illustrator of The Fast Lane and I’m Not Too Much.
Wednesday 26 August 2026 at 10:00 am – 10:45 am AEST
Book Week with Clayton Zane Comber and Conor McCammon
Join Clayton Zane Comber and Conor McCammon, co-authors of The Marvellous Submarine and Gimme Some Space.
Wednesday 26 August 2026 at 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm AEST
Book Week with Deb Fitzpatrick
Join author Deb Fitzpatrick as she shares how she is inspired by real life.
Thursday 27 August 2026 at 10:00 am – 10:45 am AEST
Book Week with Peter Carnavas
Peter Carnavas shares his recently released book Kid: A small goat on a big adventure.
Thursday 27 August 2026 at 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm AEST
Book Week with Sheena Garg
Join Sheena Garg as she dives into the joy and colours of her latest picture book.
Friday 28 August 2026 at 10:00 am – 10:30 am AEST
Book Week with Kristin Darell
Join Kristin Darell, author of It’s Twin a Thing and Football Fever series, for a fun online workshop.
Friday 28 August 2026 at 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm AEST