Book Week 2024 — Reading Is Magic

Organised every year by the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA), Children's Book Week is an opportunity for you to promote a love of reading in your classroom and to celebrate Australian authors and illustrators. The August event has been observed since 1945, and primary schools and libraries across Australia have the chance to join in the fun of celebrating literature with in-class Book Week activities and even favourite book character parades.

In addition to the various activities in this teaching resource collection, you can also encourage your students to participate in the CBCA Book of the Year awards by reading and reviewing the shortlisted books!

Typically held in August every year in Australia, the Book Week activities and events in 2023 will run from the 19th to the 25th of August.

The theme for 2024 is Reading Is Magic, and the featured artist is Australian illustrator and author Jess Racklyeft who illustrated 2022 CBCA Picture Book of the Year Iceberg (written by Claire Saxby).

Every year since 1987, the CBCA has chosen a Book Week theme to inspire teachers, librarians and children in their participation. Artwork for the event is then developed by the winner of the previous Picture Book of the Year illustrator.

In addition to illustrating the 2024 CBCA Book Week Theme and the book Iceberg, Jess Racklyeft is a Melbourne-based illustrator and author who has earned a long list of awards over her career for both writing and her artwork.

Along with author Tania McCartney, she's twice earned nominations for CBCA Notable Picture Book of the Year, and her own Welcome Baby was long-listed for the Indie Book Awards in 2020.

Her latest book is Australia: Country of Colour, published in 2023 by Affirm Press. You may want to add it to your classroom book nook this year!

Keep an eye on this Book Week teaching resource collection as we add more themed Book Week activities for your primary students!

Sometimes a look at past themes can help inspire your ideas for Book Week costumes and activities.

Past Children's Book Week themes have included

• Dreaming with eyes open...
• Reading is My Secret Power
• Curious Creatures, Wild Minds
• Read, Grow, Inspire

Looking for some inspiring illustrators whose work you can share with your students this year? Some of the illustrators who have been honoured with a chance to create the imagery that inspires young readers include

• Gwyn Perkins
• Shaun Tan
• Anna Walker
• Matt Otley