Fremantle Press launches the 2025 Books for Little Bookaburras program
This year’s Bookaburras program will be launched with help from author Renae Hayward, the Hon Klasey Hirst MLC, Member for Western Australia, Tania Lawrence MP, Tanya Richardson, Mayor of Swan and mascot Dewy Dex! The event takes place at Moorditj Noongar KindiLink in Middle Swan on Monday 9 June.
Now in its third year, the program provides more than 4,500 WA children aged 3 to 4 years old with a mini-library of local books by local storytellers.
During the next fortnight, books will be winging their way to playgroups, kindergartens and early-learning centres all over the state for distribution to WA children. Books for Little Bookaburras Ambassador Renae said, ‘I believe stories really do give kids the power to fly by sparking imagination, creating a sense of connection and expanding awareness, empathy and compassion. And nothing helps build literacy more than getting to read a special book with a favourite person. I’m so thrilled to be an ambassador for the Bookaburras program, which puts books by WA creators into the hands of kids who might not have that many books of their own, if any.’
CEO of Fremantle Press Alex Allan said access to good quality books is difficult for many. ‘For some families, this is their only chance to get books that they can keep, which breaks my heart. Books are not luxury items, they are necessities. Sharing a story at this age is as vital to a child’s emotional development, as fresh water and food are to their physical health.’
She said the team at Moorditj Noongar KindiLink is very excited about hosting the launch. As well as the storytime session with Renae Hayward, they have advised families that there will be a petting zoo and a visit from the Premier’s Reading Guide mascot Dewey Dex.
Each pack includes three specially selected picture books: one simple text that a child might attempt on their own, one more challenging text to be read aloud by an adult, and one book designed to be a satisfying read-together experience between child and adult. Books by First Nations authors are a priority.
In 2025, each Little Bookaburra will receive a copy of the board books Say Hello or Say Goodnight by Renae Hayward and Rebecca Mills, an Indigenous title: Crow and The Water Hole by Ambelin Kwaymullina or In your Dreams by Sally Morgan and Bronwyn Bancroft, and a more advanced story to be read aloud: Shine by Danny Parker and Ruth de Vos, or Where Do the Stars Go? Or When I Can Fly by Katie Stewart. All the creators of the 2025 books have donated their royalites back to the program, adding to the growing support for this initiative.
The Books for Little Bookaburras program is sponsored by the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, Wright Burt Foundation, Hesperia Group, Paul Jones in memory of Allan and Wendy Jones, Louise Jones in memory of Beverley Jones, the Barton Family Foundation, and Hartree and Associates Architects.
The launch will take place between 9:30—10:30 am on Monday 9 June 2025 at Moorditj Noongar KindiLink, Moorditj Noongar Community College in Middle Swan.
More information about the program, including how to offer support with a cash donation, is available here.
Media contact: Claire Miller, cmiller@fremantlepress.com.au, 0419 837 841
