There’s something magical about Book Week, when children step into the shoes of their favourite characters, stories come to life, and imaginations run wild.
Book Week 2025 is so much more than dress-ups. It’s an opportunity to inspire a love of reading, encourage creativity, and share moments of connection with your child. For families with children aged 0-5, it’s the perfect time to make memories that will last long after the costumes are packed away.
In this guide, we’ll share:
- When is Book Week 2025?
- This year’s Book Week theme
- Simple, stress-free Book Week ideas for preschoolers
- How we celebrate Book Week at Papilio Early Learning
- Ways to keep the reading magic alive at home
When is Book Week 2025?
This year, Book Week runs from Saturday, 16 August to Saturday, 23 August 2025, with schools, early learning centres, and libraries across Australia joining the celebrations.
The event is coordinated by the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA), which has been championing children’s literature since 1945. During Book Week, the CBCA also announces its Book of the Year awards, an excellent way to discover new stories to share with your child.
Parent Tip: Mark these dates in your calendar now so you can enjoy the lead-up without any last-minute rush.
The Book Week 2025 Theme
The theme for Book Week 2025 is "Book an Adventure", a beautiful reminder that every story is an opportunity to explore new places, meet fascinating characters, and open our minds to endless possibilities.
For young children, adventure might mean:
- Sailing the seas with a picture book pirate
- Visiting the jungle with an animal story
- Flying to the moon in an imaginative bedtime tale
At Papilio, we see this theme as an invitation to inspire curiosity and wonder every day.
Affordable Book Week Ideas for Preschoolers
Book Week celebrations can be simple, affordable, and still completely magical. Here are some Book Week ideas your preschooler will love:
1. Easy Costume Ideas
The best costumes for little ones are comfortable, safe, and easy to move in. You can often create them from clothes and materials you already have:
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Green top and pants with a paper caterpillar headband.
- Where’s Wally? - Red-and-white striped shirt, beanie, and jeans.
- Bluey - Blue t-shirt and shorts with felt or cardboard ears.
- Spot the Dog - Yellow t-shirt with brown felt spots, plus a paper tail.
- Peter Rabbit - Blue cardigan or jacket with a soft bunny toy.
Tip: Involve your child in choosing or helping make the costume - it adds to the excitement and sense of ownership.
2. Story-Inspired Activities
Not every child wants to wear a costume, and that’s okay! You can still join the celebrations with these simple activities:
- Storytime picnic - Pack your child’s favourite books and snacks for reading in the park.
- Book treasure hunt - Hide picture books around the house for your child to find.
- Puppet show - Use simple sock or paper puppets to act out a short story.
- Themed craft - Make a crown for a fairy tale, or binoculars for an adventure story.
Imagine your child searching the garden with their handmade binoculars, giggling as they “spot” characters from their favourite book.
3. Celebrate Diversity in Books
Book Week is the perfect opportunity to explore stories from diverse voices and cultures. Some wonderful titles to consider include:
- Welcome to Country by Aunty Joy Murphy and Lisa Kennedy
- Somebody’s Land by Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing
- The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name by Sandhya Parappukkaran
These stories help build empathy, understanding, and a love for the richness of our shared world.
How Papilio Early Learning Celebrates Book Week
At Papilio Early Learning, Book Week is a cherished event in our calendar. It’s a week where creativity, storytelling, and learning come together in a way that captivates our children and families.
Here’s what you can expect if your child celebrates Book Week with us:
- Dress-up days - A chance for children (and educators!) to dress as their favourite book characters.
- Daily storytime - Carefully selected books that spark imagination and conversation, often chosen by the children themselves.
- Linked learning experiences - Craft, dramatic play, and outdoor adventures tied to the Book Week theme.
- Family participation - Parents and carers are warmly invited to share a special book from home.
Our celebrations align with our Lifelong Learning Curriculum, which nurtures literacy, language, and a love for books from the earliest years.
Keeping the Reading Magic Alive at Home
The joy of Book Week can last all year if reading becomes part of your daily life. Here’s how to make it happen:
1. Make Reading Part of Everyday Routines
Bedtime is a popular choice, but reading together after breakfast or during quiet afternoon time works beautifully too.
2. Create a Cosy Reading Space
Set up a small corner with cushions, blankets, and a rotating selection of books.
3. Let Their Interests Lead the Way
Choose books on topics your child loves, whether it’s dinosaurs, trucks, or mermaids.
4. Visit Your Local Library
Libraries often host free storytimes, craft sessions, and themed activities for preschoolers.
5. Be a Reading Role Model
Show your child that reading is something you value and enjoy. Share your own favourite stories and talk about them together.
Where to Find More Book Week 2025 Inspiration
- Children’s Book Council of Australia - For official dates, theme details, and Book of the Year announcements.
- Papilio Lifelong Learning Curriculum - How we embed literacy into our premium early learning program.
- Find Your Nearest Papilio Centre - Visit us and see how we bring celebrations like Book Week to life.
Final Thoughts
Book Week 2025 is about more than dressing up, it’s a celebration of imagination, connection, and the joy of storytelling. For children aged 0-5, it’s a chance to take their very first “booked adventures” and discover the magic that reading can bring.
Whether you’re making a costume together, reading in a sunny spot at home, or joining the festivities at Papilio Early Learning, this year’s theme - Book an Adventure - is the perfect reminder that the most exciting journeys often begin on the pages of a book.
Don’t forget to mark your calendar: Saturday, 16 August to Saturday, 23 August 2025.
If you’d like your child to experience magical learning moments like Book Week as part of their everyday education, we’d love to welcome you to the Papilio family. Find your nearest centre and book a tour today.