CBCA announces 2026 book week theme

The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has announced the theme of “Symphony of Stories” for this year’s Children’s Book Week, running 22 to 28 August.

Author and illustrator Briony Stewart is this year’s artist. Stewart’s Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Tooth Fairy (and Some Things You Didn’t) (Lothian) was shortlisted in the 2025 book of the year’s early childhood category. Other books she has illustrated include The Garden at the End of the World (Cassy Polimeni, UQP) and The Lion in Our Living Room (Emma Middleton, Affirm).

Stewart said, “The word ‘symphony’ can actually mean many different elements coming together to make one harmonious whole. Kind of like a book.”

Last year’s illustrator was Jess McGeachin, working with the theme “Book an Adventure”.

More information is available on the CBCA website.

Category: Events Local news