Enjoy the hard work of these talented people:
Soup Blog started out as a blog showcasing the behind the scenes happenings at Alphabet Soup magazine. The magazine is now closed but the blog lives on! Soup Blog is for kids under 13 who love books and creative writing. At Soup Blog, they will find stories, poems and artwork by kids, book reviews by kids and by adults (for kids), author interviews, writing and art comps for kids, and news about book-related events.
The Australian Children's Literature Alliance (ACLA) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation, founded in 2008 to champion and promote the transformational power of reading in the lives of young Australians. ACLA is a collegial and inclusive organisation with representation from across the field of children's and young adult literature.
The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) seeks to empower the profession through the development, promotion and delivery of quality library and information services to the nation, through leadership, advocacy and mutual professional support.
The Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation (ALNF) is dedicated to
raising language, literacy and numeracy standards in Australia and
raises funds to develop, implement and sustain innovative projects for
individuals, families and communities.
The Australian Society of Authors was
instrumental in setting up the Copyright Agency and the Australian
Copyright Council, and successfully campaigned for Public Lending
Right in 1975 and Educational Lending Right in 2000. The ASA's mission
is to advance and protect the interests of Australia's literary
creators.
A shared love of books, art and children inspired Ann James and Ann Haddon to establish Books Illustrated in 1988. Together they have a unique view of the picture book industry, seen from many angles – librarian, bookseller, gallery director, writer and illustrator. Books Illustrated is a centre celebrating Australian children’s literature, in particular picture books and their creators. It has an interesting history that has culminated in a program of exhibitions promoting the work of Australian book illustrators throughout Australia and in international venues.
Books in Homes
Books in Homes Australia was founded on the realisation that failure in adult life often stems from childhoods spent in homes without books. Children who cannot read, become adults who cannot communicate and this is unacceptable in a world that operates on the written word. Books in Homes Australia provides books-of-choice to families and children living in remote and low socio-economic circumstances, ensuring crucial early literacy engagement and the development of reading skills needed for lifelong success. 25% of titles on offer are either written or illustrated by Indigenous creators. This Programme aims to break the education inequality found in remote and disadvantaged communities where resources are often scarce and generational poverty endemic.
The Children's Book Council of Australia
Established in 1945, the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) is a not for profit, volunteer run, organisation which aims to engage the community with literature for young Australians. The CBCA presents annual awards to books of literary merit, for outstanding contribution to Australian children's literature. The CBCA is made up of state branches, these branches work to promote literature and literacy in their state. The branches each send a representative to the judging panel for the Book of the Year awards. In 2015, the CBCA celebrated 70 years of enjoying and promoting the best of Australian literature for children and young people.
Creative Kids' Tales is a comprehensive resource for Australian emerging children’s authors and illustrators. With tips, competition information, links, reviews, and a detailed publishers listing, there's everything you need for the journey to publication. Each month, the site features one of this country’s finest children’s authors along with an emerging author. Ideal for anyone keen to network with other like-minded writers.
Illustrators Australia was originally conceived by Faye Plamka (illustrator), who put the call out to fellow illustrators in 1989 to form a collective of creatives, establish a code of conduct whereby the members could discuss mutual problems faced by illustrators within the industry, and to have an Association that could offer support and a network to the individual. The Illustrators Association of Australia was enthusiastically launched to the illustration community. Since that time and a change in name to Illustrators Australia, we have grown and developed in many ways. But one thing we haven’t changed is that we have always been run by illustrators, for the benefit of illustrators and this continues to be of utmost importance to the Association and its members.
The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) was founded by Suzy Wilson and set up by members of the Australian Book Industry in 2005 with the core aim of drawing upon the skills and expertise of the Australian book industry to address literacy levels in remote Indigenous communities. The ILF aims to raise literacy levels and improve the lives and opportunities of Indigenous children living in remote and isolated regions. This is done through the delivery of books and literacy resources, publishing and visits out to remote communities. In addition, the Foundation advocates to raise community awareness of Indigenous literacy issues.
The Australian Libraries Gateway (ALG) is a free
Web-based directory service which has information about approximately
5,200 Australian libraries and cultural institutions, their collections
and services. Started in March 1998, it aims to be a 'one-stop-shop'
directory for current information about Australian libraries and
cultural institutions - a tool for world-wide users, for both
information professionals and the general public.
My Book Corner saves parents and teachers time by selecting the very best books to inspire your children, all alongside our unique online price comparison. Add your own reviews, enter our competitions and sign up to our newsletter. We love reading, we love inspiring and we love, love spreading our bookish love.
National Centre for Australian Children's Literature
The National Centre for Australian Children's Literature (formerly Lu
Rees Archives) is a comprehensive collection of books and other
resources about Australian authors, illustrators, publishers and their creative
works. The collection includes over 57,000 books, with some 5,800 of
these in overseas translations in 78 languages, over 577 research files,
and significant collections
of authors', illustrators' and publishers' papers, manuscripts,
artwork, and free databases featuring books, teaching resources and Australian Curriculum Links for books featuring Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Cultural Diversity, Verse Novels and Picture Books for Older Readers. The resources are publicly available, and visitors are welcome
during the opening hours listed on their homepage or by arrangement.
Pass It On is a weekly, on-line, interactive, networking newsletter for those involved with or interested in the children’s writing & illustration industry.
Pinerolo, the Children’s Book Cottage, is located at Blackheath in the beautiful Blue Mountains of New South Wales. Pinerolo promotes Australian picture books and their creators, educates children and adults about picture books, provides a venue for the exhibition of original artwork from picture books and brings people interested in picture books together in an inspiring environment.
ReadPlus
Inspire a love of reading with ReadPlus, a collection of over 10,000 selected books and films arranged under themes for librarians, teachers and parents about books for young people aged 5 to 18.
Read to My Child
At Read To My Child, stories are read to your child in a simple and natural video format. The site is a handy option for those times when you need a few spare minutes, and offers a more bookish alternative to putting on another kids' TV show. Stories are absorbing and educational for children. Enjoy!
The Australian Reading Hour
In 2012, Australian libraries and library associations came together behind the National Year of Reading, linking together all the great things that are already happening around books, reading and literacy, and giving them an extra boost, with inspirational programs and events taking place across the country. 46% of Australians can't read newspapers, follow a recipe, make sense of timetables or understand the instructions on a medicine bottle. Read the snapshot report on the National Year of Reading here. Following on from the success of the campaign, the 15 founder partners decided to carry forward the Love2read brand into 2013, making the most of the momentum that had been created during the National Year of Reading. The Australian Reading Hour is a direct result of this initiative.
Founded in 1971 by a group of Los Angeles-based children's writers, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators is a non-profit organisation and one of the largest existing organisations for writers and illustrators. It is the only professional organization specifically for those individuals writing and illustrating for children and young adults in the fields of children’s literature, magazines, film, television, and multimedia. The SCBWI acts as a network for the exchange of knowledge between writers, illustrators, editors, publishers, agents, librarians, educators, booksellers and others involved with literature for young people. As a unified body, the SCBWI acts as a powerful force to effect important changes within the field of children's literature, promoting new copyright legislation, equitable treatment of authors and artists, and fair contract terms. The Australia East/NZ website is here, and the Western Australian website is here.
Story Box Library is an online ‘reading room’, enticing and inspiring young minds to open the doors to the wonderful world of Australian Children’s Literature and experience the special pleasure of sharing a story. Story Box Library has a commitment to our unique Australian culture and the diverse voices that bring that culture to life. By using Australian actors, authors and illustrators sharing their stories, we celebrate the power of quality storytelling and foster the creativity of young imaginations.
Writing Classes for Kids & Adults
Author Dee White provides a selection of fabulous courses, classes and skills for anyone wanting to hone their writing experience.
The Young Australians Best Book Awards (YABBA) were
established in 1985 by a group of Victorians keen to see children engage in
reading Australian books. Run by a volunteer committee our goal after more than 25
years is still the same. We seek to provide children a voice within the general
Australian children’s book industry. The YABBA Awards encourages children
to read recent Australian published books, rate them against all others and
then finally reward that book they feel is best.
