CBCA Children’s Book Week is undoubtedly an annual highlight of the school calendar. For one glorious week, children are inspired and their imaginations ignited by the magical worlds and wonderful characters created by Australia’s talented authors and illustrators.

Every year for over seven decades the CBCA has united children and literature through CBCA Children’s Book Week. Officially held in August during the week following the announcement of the Book of the Year Awards, Book Week sees libraries, schools, children, authors and illustrators celebrate Australian children’s books and the joy of reading.

CBCA National Chair Professor Margot Hillel OAM has said, ‘CBCA Children’s Book Week is a wonderful childhood memory for generations of Australians.’

For children today, highlights of CBCA Children’s Book Week may include book character parades, creating special displays for the school library, art projects based on a featured picture book, sharing their favourite books with their teacher and peers and, of course, lots of story time and reading in the classroom.

Each year, CBCA Children’s Book Week centres on a specific theme or slogan, which provides inspiration for displays, activities and celebrations. The 2018 theme is Find Your Treasure, providing endless scope for creativity.

Since 1987 the CBCA has commissioned a Picture Book of the Year winner to create artwork inspired by that year’s Book Week theme for posters and other promotional material and merchandise.

Melbourne-based children’s author/illustrator Anna Walker is responsible for this year’s CBCA Children’s Book Week theme poster. Her book Mr Huff won 2016 CBCA Early Childhood Book of the Year and was shortlisted for the 2016 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards.

Anna’s artwork, rendered in pencil, ink and collage will be used to create promotional items such as posters, stickers, bookmarks and bunting which will be available for purchase via the CBCA’s online store from early May. The sale of this merchandise helps to fund CBCA events and activities.

The rollcall of illustrators who have lent their creative talents to past Book Week theme posters features many of Australia’s most celebrated children’s book creators including: Freya Blackwood, Shaun Tan, Bob Graham, Alison Lester, Julie Vivas, Graeme Base and Anne Spudvilas.

Established in 1945, the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) is a not-for-profit, volunteer run organisation that aims to engage the community with literature for young Australians.

The Children’s Book Council of Australia