"I love how they converted my drawing, and also am very grateful that I got to do such a fun activity/artwork.” Kayla, YAG participant.
Image: Three finished bookmarks ready to be sent in the book packs.
Across our Youth Advisory Groups (YAG) in South Australia and along the Central Coast, young people have been bringing the 2025 Book Week theme, 'Book an Adventure', to life, designing bookmarks for this year’s Hook into Books™ campaign.
Armed with watercolours, pens, collage materials and iPads, participants created designs that reflect adventure, imagination, and the freedom that comes with reading.
"I feel really happy. I love how they converted my drawing, and also am very grateful that I got to do such a fun artwork,” shared Kayla, YAG participant.
While they worked, facilitators used the time to have open conversations about education, what’s working, where change is needed, and what a truly supportive school experience could look like.
Image: Staff from Life Without Barriers and Toyota holding up books in the Ipswich office.
The discussions were honest and practical. Young people shared challenges they’ve faced at school, like finding ways to feel included when family isn’t there for pick-up, and ideas for solutions that work for them. They also spoke about what they enjoy, from Animal Care classes to upcoming school trips and identified who they can turn to for support.
"We saw a shift in the engagement and energy of our YAG members while working on bookmark designs. After learning about Hook into Books™ and recalling times they’d received books, they were excited that their artworks might be shared with young people in care." Said Phi Theodoros, Lead Resident Artist, Living Arts Program.
"As they created, members spoke more openly about education challenges, connected over shared experiences, and strengthened friendships, remarkable for only our second session together."
A selection of the bookmark designs will be sent in 2000 book packs to children and young people across the country during Hook into Books™, carrying not just colour and creativity, but the message that every young person has the right to read, and the right to be heard.
Image: Danni Ashton, Program Implementation Lead, and two YAG Participants draw on a large sheet of paper.
“Hook into Books is our favourite time of year here at Life Without Barriers!" Said Megan Hall, Education and Learning Project Lead.
"Each year, we distribute thousands of books to children and young people in our community, all made possible through our partnerships with Toyota Finance and Fleet Management, the Children's Books Council Australia and Dymocks Children’s Charities.”
Hook into Books™, running from Monday, 18 August – Friday, 30 August 2025, is a national campaign led by the Learning Without Barriers team. The Education team aspires to see all children and young people in out-of-home care are given opportunities to enhance their own literacy story.
Hook into Books™ aims to create environments that plant, grow, and nurture a love of consuming stories and storytelling through exposure to high-quality, age-appropriate and engaging literature.
“We know that a strong correlation exists between the number of books in a home and a child's educational outcomes." Said Dale Murray, Executive Director Education.
"Through the Hook into Books campaign, we are doing our bit to share our love of reading and books with families across the country.”
Look out for campaign activities such as the Kindness Challenge, Catch-a-reader and the Indigenous Literacy Team Challenge. They are all fantastic ways to get involved and promote the importance of literacy in our community!
