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Bring the special anniversary edition of In Flanders Fields by Norman Jorgensen and Brian Harrison-Lever to life with a hands-on activity that explores how soldiers stayed safe in the trenches. Students will use two empty milk cartons and two small mirrors to create their own periscopes and understand how they work. With free teaching notes […]

Activity Sheet
'Make Your Own Periscope Activity'

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Bring the new edition of Lighthouse Girl by Dianne Wolfer (illustrated by Brian Simmonds) to life with a hands-on activity inspired by the way people once communicated across distances: semaphore. In this free activity, students will make their own pair of flags, learn the semaphore alphabet and use it to send messages to a partner. […]

Activity Sheet
'Semaphoric Alphabet - Lighthouse Girl Activity'

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In the picture book Catalpa by Mike Lefroy and Joy Lefroy, a daring rescue mission is set in motion to free a group of Irish political prisoners from Fremantle Prison. Enter the high seas of the 1870s and learn the meaning behind words like ‘scrimshaw’, ‘gaol’ and ‘whaleboat’. Where does each word connect to the […]

Activity Sheet
'Find the Words - Catalpa Activity Sheet'

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In 1869, R.D. Blackmore wrote about romantic heroine Lorna Doone. Years later, Bernice Barry has reimagined the lives in the book in The Names of the Hare, delivering a historical fiction novel about a girl with a knowledge of herbs becoming a woman among the witch hunts. In this interview, Bernice tells us more about […]

Fremantle Press is joining forces with UWA Publishing to host a 2026 Open Book Intern. The Open Book: Australian Publishing Internship is a paid internship designed to foster cultural diversity in Australian book publishing. It aims to provide a well-rounded introduction to the industry and create practical and sustainable pathways towards long-term careers for aspiring […]

Bigfoot vs Yeti by James Foley, Ningaloo: Australia’s Wild Wonder by Tim Winton with Cindy Lane and Say Goodnight by Renae Hayward and Rebecca Mills have been named Notable books by the Children’s Book Council of Australia. The list acts as the longlist for the CBCA Book of the Year Awards. Children’s publisher Cate Sutherland […]

Events

The Launch (and Escape) of Catalpa by Mike and Joy Lefroy

   March 23, 2026
   6.00pm—8.00pm
   Fremantle Prison East Workshop, Fremantle

Catalpa: Escape to Freedom, a new book by Mike Lefroy and Joy Lefroy, is launching on Monday 23 March as part of the Fremantle Fenians Freedom Group’s 2026 Fenians Festival. Illustrated and beautifully designed, Catalpa: Escape to Freedom recounts Australia’s most daring prison escape – from friendships, alliances and secret letters to the undercover spies […]

Events

Reflections on growing older with Brigid Lowry at Nedlands Library

   March 10, 2026
   10.30am—11.30am
   Nedlands Library, Nedlands

Join author Brigid Lowry for a morning talk at Nedlands Library on Tuesday 10 March. Brigid’s new release, A Time of Living Graciously, explores the journey of aging, from the quirks of the body to living graciously until the end, reminding us to honour our own experience with grace and gratitude, despite everything. A funny, […]

The Fogarty Literary Award

Prema Arasu in conversation at Boundless Books

   March 9, 2026
   6.30pm—7.30pm
   Boundless Books, Leederville

Following the 12 February launch and announcement of the Forrest Foundation Travel Fellowship, Prema Arasu is continuing to share Vampire Squid with readers. Their next author talk is at Boundless Books on 9 March at 6.30 pm. Join them for a cosy evening in Leederville, with drinks and nibbles served. Copies of Vampire Squid will […]

Events

Olivia Muscat at Melbourne Writers Festival Schools Program

   May 4May 5, 2026
   State Library of Victoria, Melbourne

Teachers in Victoria: the Melbourne Writers Festival Schools Program takes place in May! Primary school students in Years 3 to 6 are encouraged to explore their imaginations with an inspiring mix of storytellers at State Library Victoria. We’re thrilled that one of these storytellers is author Olivia Muscat. Olivia is a totally blind writer, actor, performer and disability activist. […]

Events

Join Lisa Ellery and a slew of crime writers at Volume 3 of Crime with Wine

   April 23, 2026
   6.00pm—9.00pm
   The Red Room, Leederville

Books in the Brewery’s Crime with Wine is back for 2026, and this year’s is extra special: they’ve partnered with Sisters in Crime WA! Relax and enjoy a tipple as you listen to authors Lisa Ellery, Sara Foster and Tanya Scott. Hosted by Dawn Farnham, they’ll be discussing their new books and all things crime, […]

Events

Not a Book Club with David Whish-Wilson

   March 4, 2026
   6.00pm—7.30pm
   City of Perth Library

The City of Perth Library’s Not a Book Club is a new author in-conversation series for readers who love stories, ideas, and conversation – without the homework. Hosted by Will Yeoman, the first event features acclaimed local crime writer David Whish-Wilson and explores his latest book O’Keefe, taking place on Wednesday 4 March, from 6.00-7.30 […]

Welcome to the Great Big Book Club, Fremantle Press’ regular cosy nights out for people who love stories. Join us in bookshops and libraries across Perth for bookish conversations with emerging and established authors. Browse the program below. The Names of a Hare by Bernice Barry 17th-century Cornwall is a place of peril for a […]

The City of Fremantle Hungerford Award

Launching an unmissable award-winning memoir

   March 5, 2026
   5.30pm—7.00pm
   City of Vincent Library

What role can storytelling play in protecting human rights? Join Yirga Gelaw Woldeyes for the launch of his debut memoir, Trials of Hope (የተስፋ ፈተና). Winner of the 2024 Hungerford Award, Trials of Hope (የተስፋ ፈተና) is a profound and groundbreaking memoir that weaves together stories of heritage and heartache. The launch takes place on […]

Prema Arasu, author of new poetry collection Vampire Squid, is the inaugural recipient of a new travel fund aimed at giving debut Western Australian writers the opportunity to promote their work outside the state. The sponsorship, funded by the Forrest Research Foundation, supports the work of one new or emerging Western Australian writer each year, […]

The Hungerford Award is celebrating 35 years of unearthing Western Australian stories and championing new literary voices. Sponsors Fremantle Press, City of Fremantle and Centre for Stories are looking for the next great storyteller seeking a big break – with $15,000 cash, a publishing contract, and a writing fellowship up for grabs. The biennial Hungerford […]

Winner of the 2024 Hungerford Award, Trials of Hope (የተስፋ ፈተና)is a groundbreaking bilingual memoir that challenges how we think about belonging and language. Author Yirga Gelaw Woldeyes weaves together poetry and prose, Amharic and English, to create a deeply moving account of Ethiopian heritage and displacement. In this interview, Yirga discusses the craft behind […]

What if we could approaching ageing not with dread, but with curiosity and humour? Brigid Lowry’s insights into ageing gracefully and gratefully are a warm embrace for the soul. From navigating the quirks of creaking joints to pondering life’s mysteries, A Time of Living Graciously reminds us to approach life with humour and kindness. Ageing […]

Combine literacy with fine motor skills in this engaging maze activity sheet! In Milly Meelyu by Holly Bradley, Darryl Fogarty and Corinne Fogarty, Milly Meelyu and her family search for a new home while avoiding the threat of predators. In this free, printable maze, young students will help Milly Meelyu navigate the journey towards a […]

Activity Sheet
'Help Milly Meelyu Find a New Home'

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Dive into Noongar language learning with this engaging matching activity based on Kep Barna by Jayden Boundry and Tyrown Waigana. Students match the water creatures with their Noongar names, discovering traditional language and bringing this vibrant board book to life. You can also download a free classroom poster featuring several kep barna and boodja barna […]

Activity Sheet
'Match the Kep Barna'

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Events

Lisa Ellery on Libby Reads: A free online book club

   February 18, 2026
   7.30pm—10.30pm
   Online

Are you ready to engage with more authors in 2026? Join the Libby Online Book Club for WA! This monthly digital book club is available to Western Australian library members and is hosted by local author David Allan-Petale. The book club takes place over Zoom on the third Wednesday of every month On 18 February, […]

Brigid Lowry’s A Time of Living Graciously is a gentle, unflinching look at ageing, dying and what it means to live mindfully through it all – both a conversation starter and a source of comfort. Brigid shares her thoughts on writing through the heavy topics, and the importance of humour. Listen to a conversation between […]

Events

Instagram Live with Emily Paull and Chapters for Change

   February 16, 2026
   4.00pm—5.00pm
   Instagram Live

The Distance Between Dreams by Emily Paull is the February Readalong pick for Chapters for Change! Chapters for Change is a member-based book club where a monthly subscription turns your love for books into direct support for a child’s education. A membership unlocks a vibrant book-loving community and several cool perks. Find out more here: […]

Events

Launching Kep Barna at Toddler Takeover!

   February 15, 2026
   10.00am—12.00pm
   AH Bracks Library + Creative Space

Celebrate the launch of Kep Barna: Water Creatures by Jayden Boundry and Tyrown Waigana in a fun-filled morning on Sunday 15 February! AH Bracks Library + Creative Space will host Toddler Takeover from 10.00 am–12.00 pm, transforming the library into a toddler playground with sensory play, creative activities, robots and more. 0-5-year-olds and their siblings […]