Tag: #reader

A New Chapter with the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA), VIC Branch

.Reading time 1 minute.

Thanks Jo Pentony, President of the VIC Branch, for welcoming me so warmly, as a new Committee member for 2025/26. I’m excited to be advocating for Australian children’s literature with The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA)! 

I come from a background as an Occupational Therapist, reader, parent (of one bookworm + one reluctant reader!) and lead author for an education charity’s ‘Writer in Residence’ program in disadvantaged Victorian communities from 2016 to 2024.

My special interests in children’s literature are:

  • providing equal access to picture books and shared reading experiences for all Early Years children (irrespective of their postcode)
  • positive incidental disability representation
  • engaging and supporting reluctant readers
  • creating craft projects to enhance book connections
  • providing joyous Story Time experiences for young readers and their families

I’ve been a member of the CBCA for ten years, and am excited to be stepping forward in this new voluntary role with my fellow Committee members of the CBCA Vic Branch.

Understanding Australian Readers – ‘Author Take Homes’ from the Report

.Reading time 1 minute.

Here’s my ‘Author Take Homes’ from the groundbreaking report into understanding Australian readers, which was launched online on Thursday, 13th February, 2025. The findings were the result of the world-first study by Australia Reads  and BehaviourWorks at Monash University, ‘Understanding Australian Readers: Behavioural Insights into Recreational Reading’.

While Australian reading rates are in decline, the cold, hard data in this report clearly shows that a large percentage of people want to read; along with providing guidelines on how to encourage this. I really hope that these findings solidify the need to invest in quality Australian literature – supported by skilled editors and publishers; and promoted by skilled independent booksellers, librarians and the wider book-loving community. The many benefits of reading, to both the individual and society, are well documented. Let’s hope that this report is widely read and acted upon by the powers that be.  

[PS I can only assume that magazines and newspapers were left out of the study, so that it could focus its findings on longer-form recreational reading. I, personally, have cherished keeping a @natgeo magazine on my bedside table for the best part of 40 years, opening my eyes to the world.]