BOOK WEEK 2026

The Australian CBCA Children’s Book Week 2026 celebrated a “Symphony of Stories” and ran from 22 to 28 August. As readers, we were encouraged to imagine books and stories as a great symphony, with different characters, voices, adventures and ideas all coming together to create something wonderful. The theme of Book Week 2026 was built around the three Rs: “Read, Relax, Repeat”. It encouraged children to see reading as something enjoyable and comforting, not just something they do for school.

Read: immerse yourself in a story and discover new worlds.
Relax: enjoy books as a calming, cosy activity.
Repeat: reread favourite books, revisit beloved characters and discover something new each time.

On Thursday 27 August, Elphin Campus students celebrated Book Week. Students dressed as their favourite book characters and brought their books to share with and celebrate alongside their peers. The 2026 Literacy Captains and Mrs Gee led a fun and engaging Together@Elphin, where each Year level had the opportunity to participate in a dance-off and celebrate and share their costumes. Some characters spotted on the day included The Wiggles, Mrs Broccoli, Bottomley Potts Covered in Spots, The Bad Guys, Bananas in Pyjamas, Mickey Mouse, Alice in Wonderland and Alvin and the Chipmunks.

The 2026 conneXions Captains and I ran a Book Week competition for students from EL to Year 5. Each year, the Children’s Book Council of Australia nominates books in different categories for the Book of the Year Awards. Students from EL to Year 5 read the six shortlisted picture books and voted for their favourite. The book Once I Was a Giant by Zeno Sworder was the winning title for 2026, and two winners were drawn at Together@Elphin to receive a new copy of the book.

Keep enjoying reading, everyone!

Lucie Bartley
Teacher