Reading for Kids Gippsland

02/09/2026

📰📚 AN EAST GIPPSLAND “SYMPHONY OF STORIES” IN THE BAIRNSDALE ADVERTISER! 🎻📖
A huge thank you to the Bairnsdale Advertiser for publishing the Reading for Kids and Teens Gippsland East Gippsland Symphony of Stories feature — with all three photographs — on Page 13! 💚

From Lucknow Primary School students discovering and borrowing books, to music, the Koala Trail Raymond Island and our wider community, this story captures what RFKaT is all about — connecting children and families with great Australian books and encouraging the pleasure and benefits of reading.

There is something very special about seeing local children with books in their hands and enjoying their school library. That makes all the volunteer hours worthwhile. 📚❤️

🗞️ Purchase your copy of the Bairnsdale Advertiser today and turn to Page 13!

Thank you for helping share the message that books, libraries and reading matter — and that stories really can connect a whole community.

Because stories are meant to be shared. 📖✨

SchoolWorks Bairnsdale
Mayor Jodie Ashworth GAICD - East Gippsland Shire Council
The Children's Book Council of Australia
Office Choice Bairnsdale Grinter Transport Services PTY LTD
Hazel Edwards Public Libraries Victoria Connect Well, East Gippsland + Wellington

01/09/2026

💙📚 CELEBRATE FATHER’S DAY WITH A STORY! 📚💙
Make Father’s Day storytime extra special with Baby’s First Father’s Day, written and illustrated by Cheryl Orsini Illustrator.

🍓 Strawberry picking
🥞 Breakfast together
🎁 Presents and surprises
🌳 A family walk and picnic
💙 And plenty of special Dad-and-Baby moments!

A gorgeous Australian story for little ones and families to read, share and enjoy together.

📚 Look for Baby’s First Father’s Day at your local public library — or contact Charlotte at SchoolWorks Bairnsdale for a copy for Father’s Day.

Published by Little Hare · Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing

💙 Because sometimes the best Father’s Day moments are the stories we share together.

26/08/2026

25/08/2026

📚💗 VALE DOLLY PARTON — A LEGACY OF SONGS, STORIES & BOOKS 💗📚 The world has lost an extraordinary entertainer, but for millions of children, Dolly Parton’s legacy can also be found on a bookshelf.

Through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Dolly helped put books into the hands and homes of children around the world — encouraging families to read together and helping children discover the joy of stories from their earliest years. 📖❤️

For Reading for Kids and Teens, that is a legacy very close to our hearts.

Only yesterday, I was talking with Australian children’s author Hazel Edwards OAM about Dolly and the wonderful contribution she has made to children’s literacy. Today, that conversation feels especially poignant. Hazel herself has a special connection as a Reading Ambassador for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, with her much-loved books also selected for the Australian program.

Dolly understood something wonderfully simple: giving a child a book can open a whole new world.

Her music brought joy to generations. Her generosity changed lives. And her love of reading will continue to turn pages for generations to come. 🌸📚🎶

Like millions of people around the world, I feel deeply saddened by Dolly’s passing.

Thank you, Dolly, for the music, the memories and the millions of stories you helped place into little hands. 💗📚

Vale, Dolly Parton. You will be greatly missed. 💗

22/08/2026

With Connect Well, East Gippsland + Wellington – I'm on a streak! I've been a top fan for 16 months in a row. 🎉

20/08/2026

📚🎉 TODAY’S THE DAY — WHO WILL TAKE HOME THE 2026 CBCA BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS? 🎉📚 At 12 noon AEST today, The Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year Awards will be announced! 🏆📖🎥 WATCH THE ANNOUNCEMENT LIVE HERE:
https://www.youtube.com/live/8GUUbQrJiCE

Reading for Kids and Teens wishes every shortlisted author, illustrator, creator and publisher the very best today. 🌟 Whatever the results, each shortlisted book has already achieved something wonderful — inspiring children, young people, families, teachers and librarians to discover, discuss and share Australian stories. ❤️📚

A huge RFKaT thank you to Paynesville Community Op Shop, Johnnos Op shop, Charlotte at SchoolWorks Bairnsdale , Office Choice Bairnsdale and Mayor Jodie Ashworth GAICD - East Gippsland Shire Council for getting behind our local celebration of the 2026 CBCA shortlisted books and encouraging our community to borrow, read and share Australian books. 📚💛

🎶📚 CBCA Book Week 2026 — Symphony of Stories
Because stories are meant to be shared.

19/08/2026

📚🎭 A BOOK WEEK FLASHBACK — WITH A MESSAGE WORTH SHARING AGAIN! 🎭📚

We’re resharing this video from last year’s Book Week because the message is just as important in 2026 — before buying a new Book Week outfit, have a treasure hunt at Paynesville Opp Shop! 💚♻️

You never know what you might discover — a hat, jacket, dress, cape or quirky accessory that can be reimagined into a favourite book character.

🐧🌊 You might even find inspiration for South With the Seabirds by Jess McGeachin — and create your own explorer or scientist-inspired Book Week outfit!

Choosing preloved helps give clothing another life, reduces waste and keeps perfectly usable items out of landfill — while supporting a wonderful local community organisation.

👏 A huge Reading for Kids and Teens thank you to the volunteers at Paynesville Opp Shop for their fantastic community involvement and their generous support of the 2026 CBCA Bookmarks for East Gippsland primary schools.

📚 CBCA Book Week 2026 – Symphony of Stories | 22–28 August

♻️ REUSE • REIMAGINE • DRESS UP • CELEBRATE BOOK WEEK! ✨