Books for Little Bookaburras ambassador & local WA author Renae Haywarth brings stories to Geraldton kindies
Young Geraldton students have been treated to a new reading initiative that delivers important storytelling, children's books and joy to regional kindergarteners.
As part of the regional celebration of the Fremantle Press 2025 Books for Little Bookaburras program, Bookaburras ambassador and WA author Renae Hayward will visit three kindies across regional WA, starting with Beachlands Kindilink which she visited on Wednesday.
Mini libraries — sets of books especially curated for young readers — are given to each child, before an interactive storytime session is held by Hayward for the excited students.
The Little Bookaburras initiative, supported by a growing number of sponsors and creatives, will reach more than 4500 children across WA, ensuring access to books no matter where they live.
Hayward said: 'Books are so important for children aged 0-3 years. Books expose kids to new words and concepts, and can even help build empathy.
'I'm so thrilled to be an ambassador for the Bookaburras program, which puts books by WA creators into the hands of kids who might not have that many books of their own, if any.
'It was such a joy to hand out the Bookaburras book packs at Beachlands Primary School KindiLinks. The kids immediately started reading their new books with their grown-ups, which is what we love to see.'
Fremantle Press CEO Alex Allan said the initiative was having a real impact on young regional WA readers.
'Last year over a third of our participants were based in regional areas,' he said.
'Some 200 of the total number of children had no other access to books, and others didn't have homes to take them to at all.
'The program is providing a much-needed permanent resource for families — a set of books for the kids to treasure and a valuable resource for carers to use to build literacy and a life-long love of stories.'
The program's mini-libraries feature stories by local authors and First Nations storytellers, with titles that reflect the richness of Australian voices.
Each child recieves books such as Say Hello or Say Goodbye by Hayward and fellow author Rebecca Mills, along with Indigenous stories like Crow and the Water Hole by Ambelin Kwaymullina or In Your Dreams by Sally Morgan and Bronwyn Bancroft.
In a touching show of support, all creators of the 2025 books have donated their royalties back to the program, helping it grow and reach even more children.
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