From Care Bears to story stones: Queensland kindy kids bring Book Week to life 

Caped crusaders, costumes, Care Bears and a little storytelling magic will take over  Queensland Childcare Services (QCCS) centres this month as children celebrate Book  Week by bringing their favourite stories off the page and into the classroom. 

QCCS centres will celebrate Children’s Book Week from 22 to 28 August, embracing this  year’s Symphony of Stories theme through dress up days, reading buddies, story stones,  scavenger hunts, library visits and family reading. 

In the lead up to Book Week, families are encouraged to take part in the Premier’s Reading  Challenge by reading together at home and recording the number of books they complete. 

QCCS General Manager Laura Faalili said while costumes and parades were always a  highlight, Book Week is about showing children stories that can be experienced in different ways. 

“Books can take children anywhere, but the learning does not have to stop when the last  page is turned,” Ms Faalili said. 

“A story can become a game, a piece of art, an outdoor adventure or something completely  new that children create together. That is what makes this year’s Symphony of Stories theme  so much fun for our centres.” 

Across the week, children at centres in Logan are encouraged to bring favourite books from  home to share with friends, donate preloved books to community Street Libraries and take  part in excursions and Storytime Sessions, including a visit to Loganholme Library. 

Older children will become reading buddies for younger children, while others will swap  books, decorate stones with characters and objects before drawing them from a ‘sorting hat’  and creating new stories. 

Book scavenger hunts will also take literacy outdoors, challenging children to read a story  before searching their surroundings for characters and clues inspired by the book. 

Ms Faalili said the activities were designed to build language and literacy skills while  encouraging children to see themselves as storytellers. 

“Not every story needs to be experienced in the same way and not every child will connect  with a book in the same way,” Ms Faalili said. 

“By combining reading with movement, art, imaginative play and activities children can share  with their friends and build vocabulary and communication skills. 

“We want children to understand that their own ideas and experiences matter. Every child has a  story and a voice to add to the symphony.”

At Hills Early Learning Centre in Jimboomba, Book Week will come with a cost saving twist  through a community costume swap. 

Families are encouraged to donate costumes their children have outgrown, allowing other  children to choose a character without families needing to purchase something new. 

“The magic of Book Week should come from children’s imaginations, not from how much  families can spend on costumes,” Ms Faalili said. 

“The swap gives costumes another life, reduces waste and means more children and  families can enjoy being part of the celebrations.” 

Meanwhile, the team at Woodcrest Early Education Centre will channel the values of  friendship, kindness and inclusion by dressing together as Care Bears. 

Children will explore stories throughout the week through dramatic play, creative arts, music,  movement and sensory experiences before joining educators and families for a Book  Character Dress Up Day. 

The celebrations will culminate on Friday 28 August with costumes, book parades and the  presentation of Premier’s Reading Challenge certificates. 

“Book Week is a chance to make reading feel exciting. If children finish the week wanting to  pick up another book, tell their own story or share one with a friend, that is a pretty wonderful  ending,” Ms Faalili said.