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Book Week in Australia started as a literary initiative for homegrown authors, illustrators and publishers, and evolved into a major national and cultural event. Let’s take a look at the origin and evolution of Book Week:
The formal Book Week as know it today began when the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) was founded in 1945 in Sydney. The CBCA was formed by writers, illustrators, editors, librarians, teachers, publishers and booksellers to encourage the local publication and reading of children’s books of high literary and artistic quality. This came at a time when Australia was overwhelmed by imported content. The mission was simple – Let Australia’s literary voice be heard!
This dedication to promoting literary excellence quickly led to the establishment of the prestigious CBCA Book of the Year Awards in 1946. These awards recognised excellence in Australian children’s literature across several categories and were announced during Book Week, giving the week its central focus. These annual accolades were highly influential, driving recognition and book sales, which set the national benchmark for excellence in children’s publishing.
Over the decades this annual event slowly changed from a few local celebrations dotted here and there, to a nationally recognised annual celebration with artistic displays across the country. It now features an annual theme to guide schools, libraries, and communities in their celebration activities, with the focus on promoting reading and Australian books.
Book Week is now famous for its iconic parades, where students and teachers alike wear elaborate costumes inspired by book characters. This theatrical element has transformed the celebration of reading into a highly visible platform.
This multi-generational event reinforces the cultural importance of fostering a lifelong love of reading and ensures that Australian storytelling remains key to the nation’s literary identity. So take the lead in nurturing young minds by purchasing fuel-for-thought from our selection of chapter, picture, fiction and non-fiction books.
So until our next article, remember to look after your stuff, and it will look after you!
Cheers, David & Cath.
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