Geelong celebrates Book Week

SCHOOLS, libraries and early learning centres have embraced Book Week for 2025, dressing up as their favourite story characters and celebrating a love for reading.

The annual event kicked off on August 16 and came to an end on August 23, with schools around the Geelong region hosting special Book Week parades and activities.

Grovedale Primary School got involved with the celebrations, culminating in a parade with students, staff and parents last Friday (August 23).

Assistant principal Graham Byworth said Book Week is all about developing and nurturing a love of reading and literature in all children.

“Grovedale PS families thoroughly enjoy our weeklong festivities that include a book fair, dressing up as a favourite character and a whole school parade,” Mr Byworth said.

“Some students don’t love the idea of dressing up and participating in a parade, so it is optional, but we have found the large majority of our students enjoy the chance to dress up.”

While students dressed up as characters from Harry Potter, Minecraft, Minions, Disney and The Wizard of Oz, school staff also got in the spirit of the day, dressing as 101 Dalmatians characters.

Coordinated by the Children’s Book Council of Australia, this year Children’s Book Week celebrated 80 years with the theme ‘Book an Adventure’ .

The theme was captured by this year’s feature artist Jess McGeachin, whose work highlights Book an Adventure and encourages children to imagine, explore and create their own adventures.

Book Week will return in 2026 and will run from August 22 until August 28, with the new theme to be announced tomorrow (Friday, August 29).

For more information, head to cbca.org.au/childrens-book-week