Key dates and days to get the young people in your life involved in reading!
July
NAIDOC Week 3-10
National NAIDOC Week recognises and celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.
National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday). You can support and get to know your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through activities and events held across the country.
National Pyjama Day 22
National Pyjama Day is all about wearing your favourite pair of PJs to help The Pyjama Foundation raise much-needed awareness and funds for children in foster care.
The aim of the day is to raise funds for The Pyjama Foundation's Love of Learning Program, which is offered to children in foster care. So this July, put on your favourite PJs, make a donation, and get your friends/colleagues involved!
Early Learning Matters Week 25 - 29
Early Learning Matters (ELM) Week is an opportunity for all childhood educators, parents, carers and community leaders around Australia came come together to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of early learning.
Organised by Early Childhood Australia, ELM provides a great opportunity to tell our communities how high-quality early education and care supports children to be confident, enthusiastic learners, building a foundation for wellbeing and achievement throughout their lives.
August
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day 4 August
Children’s Day is when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, communities, and all Australians celebrate the strengths and culture of our children. It is an opportunity for us to show our support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, as well as learn about the crucial impact that culture, family and community play in the life of every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child.
Children Book Week 20-26
Each year since 1945, the CBCA has brought children and books together across Australia through CBCA Book Week. During this time, schools and public libraries spend one glorious week celebrating books and Australian children's authors and illustrators. Classroom teachers, teacher librarians and public librarians create colourful displays, develop activities, run competitions and tell stories relating to a theme to highlight the importance of reading. You will often see parades with students dressed as their favourite book characters. Click here to find some great costume ideas!
The theme for 2022: Dreaming with eyes open...
#CBCA2022 #dreamingwitheyesopen
National Numeracy and Literacy Week 29
National Literacy and Numeracy Week provides students, parents and schools with the opportunity to explore reading, writing and numeracy and get involved in a range of literacy and numeracy activities. The week aims to recognise the achievements of students and the work of teachers, parents and community members who support young people to develop stronger literacy and numeracy skills.
MS Readathon 1-31
The MS Readathon inspires kids to read as much as they can, all for one incredible cause. The rules are simple. Read whatever you like, as much as you can, throughout August.
Children can register with their school (teachers, you can register your class) or individually. Best of all, by joining our quest, not only will you awaken a love of reading, but you will also be helping kids who have a parent with multiple sclerosis.
Cool resource: The Reading Corner.
Here you will find a wide variety of books that children and young people have reviewed.
September
Indigenous Literacy Day 7
Celebrating stories and language.
Indigenous Literacy Day is a day that focuses on improving literacy levels in very remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Their approach to raising literacy levels starts at a community level with Book Supply. Culturally appropriate books are gifted to schools and organisations operating in remote communities.
Cool resources: Choose from over 70 short, diverse and inspiring video stories from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including Australia's favourite pop star Jessica Mauboy and talented author and performer Gregg Dreise. There are stories from Stick Mob (a group of four young graphic novelists), children in remote communities, and a selection of pay-to-experience, high-quality workshops made by leading artists, authors and creatives.
Australia Reads – 16
Australia Reads is a unique Australian book industry collaboration (between authors, booksellers, libraries and publishers) borne of a shared passion for, and mutual interest in, championing reading, promoting the many mental health and lifestyle benefits of reading books, and encouraging the next generation of avid book readers to significantly increase book reading by all Australians – no matter the format they read.
October
International School Library Month
International School Library Month is an annual celebration of school libraries worldwide. Find ways you can lead the celebration, participate and advocate for the importance of school libraries, library professionals, and the students that make them great!
Love your Bookshop day 8
Love Your Bookshop Day is an annual celebration of local bookshops and everything they do! From fostering expert staff and curating fabulous ranges to creating events programs to celebrate authors, readers and the books they cherish.
Children’s Week 24- 28
The Children’s Week Council of Australia is responsible for encouraging and supporting the widest possible participation of all States and Territories in Children’s Week. A diverse range of events and activities are organised at the National, State and Local levels. These focus the attention of the wider community on children, their rights and achievements. Children’s Week celebrates the right of children to enjoy childhood.
