BIG Summer Read

Big Summer Read logo and banner. Vibrant coloured circles against a blue sky.

Keep the kids reading BIG this summer!

The BIG Summer Read is a statewide summer reading campaign for children and young people, open to anyone ages 0-18. It aims to encourage kids to read for pleasure and beat the ‘summer slide’ – the loss of literacy development over the long summer break when kids aren’t exposed to books or reading at school.

Track reading and complete challenges

Visit Beanstack to register now! Download the Beanstack app to collect your registration badge and meet this year’s cast of quirky characters.

BIG Summer Read character Red the book
BIG Summer Read character Connie the Ice-Cream Cone

Open from 1 December – 31 January

Keep reading in whatever format you choose! Book or audiobook – physical or digital – novel or comic book – it’s completely up to you.

Statewide prize winner announced 12 February

Winners will receive book packs donated by James Bennett.

  • Ages 0-4 – Board books
  • Ages 5-8 – Picture books
  • Ages 8-12 – Junior fiction/graphic novels
  • Ages 12-18 – YA fiction/graphic novels

Winners will be notified via email.

Pick up a Reading Log

You can also choose to grab a printed Reading Log from your local library. Completing a printed Reading Log doesn’t automatically enter you into the statewide prize draw – but it does enter you into the Your Library prize draw!

Win a Prize Pack from Your Library!

Submit your completed printed Reading Log to your local library by 31 January to go in the draw. The lucky winner will be announced on 12 February.

Big Summer Read character Bob the Apple
BIG Summer Read slogan in bold yellow font: JOIN BORROW READ WIN

Brought to you by

BIG Summer Read creator logo for Public Libraries Victoria
BIG Summer Read sponsor logo Bolinda BorrowBox
BIG Summer Read sponsor logo James Bennett
BIG Summer Read sponsor logo Story Box Library
BIG Summer Read sponsor logo School Library Association of Victoria

Subscribe to our Children's Newsletter

Keep up to date with the latest children’s news with this seasonal newsletter. Events, resources, announcements, competitions and much more – sign up now!

Storytimes

Storytimes will resume on Monday 29 January.

Thanks for another amazing year of Storytimes! During school holidays, we run a range of other events for kids of all ages. Subscribe to our Children’s Newsletter to find out about upcoming kids’ events as soon as they’re announced.

Watch Storytime online!

You can always enjoy Storytime at home.

Catch up on heaps of great Storytime sessions and holiday craft activities on our YouTube Channel.

Watch stories come to life at home with Story Box Library. Enjoy books by Australia’s favourite authors read to you by Australian actors, authors, illustrators and comedians. There are hundreds of stories available (including many in Auslan), with new stories added every week.

Subscribe to our Children's Newsletter

Keep up to date with the latest children’s news with this monthly newsletter. Events, resources, announcements, competitions and much more – sign up now!

Kids

Featured For Kids

Online Storytimes
Be sure to follow our Facebook page here to access live storytimes! Times will be posted to let you know exactly when we will be live.

Kanopy Kids
Kanopy Kids highlights films and TV series that inspire and inform, helping children develop empathy, mindfulness, and self-esteem through entertaining and educational videos. Stream now!