Local schools embrace Book Week

SCHOOL students and staff from across Australia have marked Book Week with a string of events.

Held from August 17 until August 23, the annual event celebrates all things books with schools and encourages reading for pleasure.

The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) host the event, with kindergartens, early childhood centres and libraries jumping on board.

 

Bellbrae Primary School celebrated with their parade on Monday this week, which saw the school community dressing up as their favourite book characters.

Harry Potter, princesses and football players were among the popular costumes, with this year’s event having the theme of “reading is magic.”

Bellbrae Primary School library manager Frances Cunningham said the school had embraced the theme of this year’s celebrations.

“We have a magical door decorating competition, an enchanted Book Week parade, the library transforming into a ‘magic emporium’, plus a magic show and workshops for students.”

 

As part of the celebrations authors Adrian Beck, writer of The Fox Kid series and co-author of the AFL Little Legends series, and George Ivanoff, known for his You Choose stories, visited the school.

“The week is jam-packed full of fun and learning, and promoting reading for pleasure, as well as learning,” Ms Cunningham said.

“You can see from the joy on children’s faces when they pick up a good book – reading really is magical.”

The CBCA also run a competition featuring Australian children’s book authors and illustrators, announcing the winners out of each category the day before Book Week starts.

“Throughout the term we have been reading and doing literacy activities on the CBCA shortlisted books, and we consolidate this learning in Book Week with activities,” Ms Cunningham said.

The theme for 2025 will be announced in September.

For more information on Book Week, head to cbca.org.au