Book Week 2026

The St Mary’s community are looking forward to a fabulous celebration of all things books in Week 7,  Monday 24th- Thursday 27th. 

Throughout the week the students and staff will share their favourite books, investigate some of the Children’s Book Council of Australia Short Listed books in 2026 and have the opportunity to participate in Book Week related activities in the Zen Zone at break times. Keep an eye on Seesaw for a time during the week set aside for parents to come and share their favourite book with your child’s class.

The annual Book Fair will run alongside Book Week celebrations. The shop will be open for sales in the Zen Zone room before and after school Monday  to Thursday. A large percentage of sales enables the school to purchase more books for our Library.

Our celebrations will conclude on Thursday 27th of August with:

9:00am to 11.00am -  We welcome Sarah Speedy, Author and Illustrator as she works with all of our Prep - Years 6 students. 

11:50am to 1.40pm - Multi-age groups participating in Book Week related activities across the school

 3:00pm to  3:30pm  -  Whole school parade, hosted by the Year 6 Student Leaders. All students are invited to dress up as a book character or a costume relating to the theme of ‘Symphony of Stories’. For example; Characters Who Are Musicians or Dancers ie. The Pied Piper of Hamelin, The Cat and the Fiddle (Hey Diddle Diddle), Angelina Ballerina (Angelina Ballerina) or Sebastian or Ariel (The Little Mermaid) or Stories Built Around Music & Sound, ie. The Phantom of the Opera, The Sound of Music, Peter and the Wolf.

All are welcome to join us for our parade.

2026 is a Symphony of Stories!

The 2026 Children’s Book Week theme is ‘Symphony of Stories’.  

Link to the official book week website for 2026

The Book Week 2026 talented illustrator is the fabulous Briony Stewart, award-winning author-illustrator of ‘Gymnastica Fantastica’ and other children’s books. Just wait until you meet all the wild characters she’s created.

‘I decided to try and show what stepping into a symphony of stories might be like. A huge colourful collection of characters bursting out of a book representing their different stories with weird and wonderful instruments.’ – Briony Stewart