Reading fun in the holidays

Looking for a fantastic school holiday activity for your budding bookworms and artists?

Miss Nicole will be at the Melbourne Kids Book Fest 2026. Make sure you pop in to see her! 

When: Friday 2 and Saturday 3 October

Where: Southbank

Buy tickets here - only a few tickets are left.

The festival will be in Melbourne for the first time ever. Come and meet some of Australia’s favourite authors and illustrators, including Andy Griffiths (The Treehouse series), Andrew McDonald and Ben Wood (Real Pigeons),  Andrea Rowe (Jetty Jumping), and illustrator of Inked, winner of the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers Jake A Minton, and many more! 

This exciting two-day festival is packed with storytelling, books, illustration, workshops and fun for children aged 5–13 (all must have a parent accompany and supervise them). 

Children can get creative in workshops covering writing, comics, poetry, drawing, collage, zine-making, music and storytelling. Don’t miss the Grand Finale, “Ask Andy Anything” on the Saturday afternoon, where he will answer questions from the audience and announce the 2026 Storytelling Competition winners! Good luck to our many entrants! 

Check out the festival program. 

Kids Book Fest Scavenger Hunt & Escape Room

Can't make either of those two days? There is also a free Melbourne Kids Book Fest Scavenger Hunt, running throughout the school holidays from Saturday 19 September to Sunday 4 October 2026. Pick up a free map from Mary Martin Book Store in Southbank. 

There is also a Book Escape Room. It’s all a fun way for families to discover books, authors and literary treasures around Melbourne whilst also encourage reading.

Come join Miss Nicole for a wonderful celebration of books!