For many families, Book Week means one thing: the costume parade, usually remembered the night before. But Book Week is really a celebration of Australian children’s books, and there’s plenty to enjoy beyond the dress-up. Here’s the Book Week 2027 theme and dates, what the Children’s Book Council of Australia does, the Book of the Year Awards, and some easy, cheap costume ideas for when the parade comes around.
When is Book Week 2027, and what’s the theme?
The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has already announced 2027: “The 2027 CBCA Book Week theme is Catch the Reading Bug, illustrated by award-winning creative Danny Snell.” And: “Children’s Book Week will run from Saturday 21 August to Friday 27 August 2027.”
| Year | Theme | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Catch the Reading Bug (illustrated by Danny Snell) | Saturday 21 to Friday 27 August |
| 2026 | Symphony of Stories (illustrated by Briony Stewart) | Saturday 22 to Friday 28 August |
Last checked 17 October 2026. Book Week falls in a week in the second half of August each year. Schools often hold their parade on one day of that week, so watch your school newsletter for the exact day.
What is Book Week?
Children’s Book Week is run by the CBCA, which was founded in 1945, at a time, it says, “when Australian children’s books were few and Australian authors and illustrators were virtually unknown.” The CBCA’s history page explains that Book Week has had a slogan since 1945, and that “Since 1987 there has been a national theme, which is chosen and voted on by the CBCA members.”
Schools, libraries and families across Australia join in with displays, author visits, reading challenges and, of course, dressing up. The CBCA describes Book Week as “one of Australia’s most visible and inclusive cultural celebrations, engaging children across all regions and backgrounds.”
The CBCA Book of the Year Awards
The CBCA’s Book of the Year Awards were established in 1946, and the winners are announced just before Book Week. The categories are Early Childhood, Picture Book of the Year, Younger Readers, Older Readers, the Eve Pownall award for information books, and New Illustrator.
The Middle Readers award is new. The CBCA says: “From 2027, the CBCA will introduce a new Middle Readers Book of the Year category, recognising outstanding Australian books for readers aged 10 to 13.” In 2027, the shortlist is due on Tuesday 30 March and the winners on Friday 20 August, the day before Book Week starts.
For Prep to Year 3 families, the 2026 Early Childhood winner was The Emperor’s Egg by Rae Tan, and the Picture Book of the Year was Once I Was A Giant by Zeno Sworder. You can often borrow shortlisted books from your local library, which makes the shortlist a ready-made reading list.
Do kids have to dress up for Book Week?
The costume parade is a school tradition, not a CBCA rule. The CBCA mentions it as one of the ways children take part, “dressing up as favourite characters, sharing books and celebrating Australian stories together”, but sets no rules about costumes. Each school decides whether it holds a parade, which day, and whether the costume should match the theme, so check the newsletter.
If your child doesn’t want to dress up, that’s fine too. Carrying their favourite book and talking about it is just as much in the spirit of the week.
Easy, cheap Book Week costume ideas
The best costumes start with a book your child loves, not a shop. A few simple ideas, with the 2027 bug theme in mind:
- A reading bug. Paper wings on a T-shirt, pipe-cleaner feelers on a headband, and a book tucked under one arm.
- A bookworm. A green top, a cardboard-tube body in sections, and glasses drawn on a paper mask.
- A character with one prop. Pick a character from a picture book on your shelf and add one clear thing: a crown, a cape, a magnifying glass or a basket.
- A bedtime story. Pyjamas, a dressing gown, a teddy and the book you read together at night.
- An animal from a story. Ears on a headband and a tail pinned to the back. Australian animals feature in lots of picture books.
Make Book Week about reading
The dress-up is fun, but the heart of Book Week is books. A few ideas for the week:
- Visit the library. Borrow two or three books from the shortlist, and one your child chooses just because they like the cover.
- Read aloud every night. Even confident readers love being read to. It builds vocabulary and a love of stories.
- Let your child read to you. A decodable book or a levelled reader at the right level is perfect practice. Our guide to decodable vs levelled readers explains the difference.
- Talk about the pictures. Picture books reward a slow look. Ask “What do you notice?” before turning the page.
- Make a tiny book. Fold paper into a little booklet and let your child write and draw their own story.
For more on reading levels and how to read together, see reading levels explained, and for a quick nightly routine, phonics at home in 10 minutes a day.
Questions parents ask
What is the Book Week 2027 theme?
“Catch the Reading Bug”, illustrated by Danny Snell. The Children’s Book Council of Australia announced it in 2026.
When is Book Week 2027?
From Saturday 21 August to Friday 27 August 2027. Schools usually choose one day that week for their parade or celebrations.
What is CBCA Book Week?
Children’s Book Week is run each year by the Children’s Book Council of Australia to celebrate Australian children’s books. It has had a national theme, chosen by CBCA members, since 1987.
Do kids have to dress up for Book Week?
No. Costume parades are a school tradition, and the CBCA sets no rules about costumes. Check your school’s newsletter to see whether it holds a parade and whether costumes should match the theme.
What are the CBCA Book of the Year categories?
Early Childhood, Picture Book of the Year, Younger Readers, Older Readers, the Eve Pownall award for information books and New Illustrator, plus a new Middle Readers category from 2027.
What is the new Middle Readers category?
From 2027, the CBCA is adding a Middle Readers Book of the Year, for outstanding Australian books for readers aged 10 to 13.
