Published on Friday, 13 June 2025 at 3:54:29 PM
Small things in unexpected places…….
A celebration of stories for the young and young at heart.
"But there was a lot of happiness discovering so many small things in unexpected places.”
― Shaun Tan, Tales from Outer Suburbia
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Date: Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August
Location: State Library of WA, Theatre and Foyer
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Get Tickets Here
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In 2025, the Celebrate Reading Conference will be commemorating an astounding 80 years of the CBCA supporting and showcasing storytellers for young people over the weekend.
The conference will open with a headline presentation from the 2024 Children's Laureate and Australia's highest selling female author, Sally Rippin, as she addresses the importance of children having access to reading and stories. What follows features captivating panel discussions, intimate conversations, and interactive experiences.
A range of topics covered in the conference include, page-to-screen adaptations, author's personal career journeys, and the encouragement of reading for young people. The theatre will be sparked with innovative thoughts and ideas from the personal experiences and passions of our presenters.
A wide variety of storytellers who are past winners, those who have been shortlisted, and the notables of CBCA awards will be celebrated for their contributions to the literary industry. The flexible formatting of the conference, allows attendees to book individual sessions or a whole day at their leisure.
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Day One - August 23rd
9:00 - 9:15: Welcome to Country and CEO Address
9:15 - 10:00: Sharing Stories, Transforming Lives; Opening Address by Australian Children’s Laureate Sally Rippin
Sally Rippin is the 2024 – 2025 Australian Children’s Laureate. Sally also happens to be Australia’s highest selling female author and has written 100 books for children and young adults. She opens the conference with a call to action to join us on her mission to ensure that all children can be supported to access reading and stories in the way that suits them most.
10:00 - 10:45: Words and Pictures
CBCA Award-winning picture book artists Briony Stewart, Karen Blair and Peter Cheong are joined by oral storyteller Esther Marriott in an interactive and live multi-modal session bringing together oral storytelling, words and visuals. Explore the power of multi-literacies for neuro- divergent and culturally and linguistically diverse young people.
10:45- 11:00: Break
11:00 - 12:00: Reluctant Readers
With alarming research into the dropping rates of reading for fun in young people, how can writers and teachers appeal to reluctant readers? Sally Rippin, Sofie Laguna, Cheryl Kickett-Tucker, Briony Stewart, Frané Lessac and Mark Greenwood will discuss ways to encourage children to engage in reading in an age of digital entertainment, and whether AI is a help or a hindrance. Moderated by TLC Chair Sally Murphy.
12:00 - 13:00: Lunch break and book signing
12:30- 12:55 Join Sally Rippin for some cake and speeches to celebrate 80 Years of the Children’s Book Council as part of their Birthday Book Adventure on the ground floor.
13:00- 14:00: The Underdog
Craig Silvey, winner of the 2023 Award for Younger Readers, in conversation about his prolific body of work for young people. Take a trip down memory lane with Craig as he reflects on his wonderful career, and maybe even get a sneak peek at the sequel to Runt: Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping.
14:00 - 15:00: Where History Happened
The power duo that is Mark Greenwood and Frané Lessac talk about their collaboration and the transformation of history into story and pictures. We ask the question, why is it important for young people to learn about the past to help them understand the future? Moderated by CBCA WA President Kris Williams.
15:00 - 15:15: Break
15:15 - 16:15: From Page to Screen
Authors Holden Sheppard, Sofie Laguna and Tristan Bancks talk about the joys and challenges of adapting their work for the stage and screen. Moderated by author and screenwriter Kathryn Lefroy.
16:15: Day One close and book signing
Day Two - August 24th
10:00 - 11:00: Perilous Adventures; Infinite Wonder
Opening Address by Sofie Laguna
Award-winning and acclaimed literary author of books for adults and young people, Sofie Laguna, opens Day 2 of Celebrate with an inspiring address on the heart of storytelling: exploring how voice, structure, and emotional truth shape powerful narratives for every age, drawing on her own writing journey.
11:00 - 11:15 Break and book signing
11:15 - 12:00: Life and other experiments (virtual delivery)
Tristan Bancks, winner of the CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers 2024, talks to us about the world of writing thrillers for younger readers that they don’t want to put down, and how to make drama out of the unexpected.
12:00 - 13:00: Who Gets to Tell My Story?
Authors Shirley Marr, Seth Malacari, Chemutai Glasheen, Cheryl Kickett-Tucker, Mabel Gibson and Sarah Winifred Searle are joined by editor Casey Mulder to discuss the place of personal and lived cultural experience in stories. They will question how we navigate authenticity for young readers, the setbacks creators still hit in these spaces and how they overcome them.
13:00 - 14:00: Lunch and book signing
14:00 - 15:00: Embracing the Dark
Murder mysteries, horror, and darker tales are on the rise across YA bookshelves. What is it that draws young readers to these thrilling tales? Join authors Kate Emery, Fionna Cosgrove, and Ash Harrier for a thrilling time discussing a popular genre. Moderated by YA Fantasy writer and conference curator Bianca Breen.
15:00 - 16:00: The Books We Read as Children
There is comfort and power of story in a world of stimulation overload. A panel of artists discuss the books they read or were read to them as children, how they shaped their own writing lives and what they hope to inspire in the younger generation with their own words. With Mark Greenwood, Frané Lessac, Sofie Laguna, Tristan Bancks, Kate Emery, Sarah Winifred Searle, Cheryl Kickett-Tucker, Casey Mulder, Mabel Gibson and Shirley Marr. Moderated by TLC CEO Elizabeth Spencer.
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