Burnie Book Week

Book an Adventure!

This year, we once again had the privilege of celebrating all things literacy by immersing ourselves in adventures through story!

Since its beginnings in 1945, the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has championed the importance of reading and the joy it brings to children. What began as a small initiative has now grown into a much-anticipated national celebration, held each August, with every year marked by a different theme.

Here in Tasmania, where literacy levels are among the lowest in the country, we know how vital it is to foster a love of reading early. By continuing to grow our school libraries, ensuring access to quality books, and making these spaces as inviting as possible, we hope to play our part in building a brighter future for literacy in our state.

At Leighland, Book Week is always something special, and this year was no exception!

In the weeks leading up to the event, students engaged with the shortlisted books, many even trying their hand at predicting the winners of each category. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, staff worked tirelessly, cutting, painting, designing, and creating, to transform our library and school office into true wonderlands. Both spaces looked spectacular, and a special thank you goes to Mr Mark Gradwell for his incredible work with the office display. And of course, the library train was a showstopper, an absolute must-see!

Throughout the week, students and staff took part in a variety of story-based activities, all leading up to the much-loved Book Week Parade. This year, with our upper primary students attending School of Rock, we hosted the parade at the beginning of the week. The costumes were nothing short of fabulous, with every student taking a turn on the catwalk to proudly share their favourite book characters.

Years 3–6 were also treated to a very special opportunity, listening to Andy Griffiths speak about the inspiration behind his stories, including the much-loved Treehouse series and his latest release, You and Me and the Peanut Butter Beast. His session left students both entertained and inspired, sparking imaginations to run wild.

For me, Book Week is always a highlight of the year. Sharing my passion for stories and reading with students is a joy, and seeing their excitement reflected back in their smiles makes every late night of cutting, pasting, and planning worthwhile.

As the beloved Dr. Seuss reminds us: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

Here’s to another year of reading adventures!