Book Week 2026 · Join the waitlist

Every child has a story worth writing.

The giveaway

A$5,000,000 of personalised stories — free, no cash, no draw.

Free personalised digital story, valued at up to A$10 (comparable retail, not cash). Limited to 500,000 stories; one per child. Subject to availability. The printed hardcover is a separate paid purchase.

Join the waitlist

1 in 3¹

Australian children who can't read proficiently.

The reading gap

Roughly one in three Australian children can't read proficiently.

For a lot of kids, a book feels like homework before it feels like fun. A story doesn't fix that on its own — but a story that already has your child in it is a reason to open the next page.

Vellamere the dragon mid-flight, turning a page

The worlds they write into being

Every world starts with a name and a sentence.

Choose a name and a world, and we build an illustrated story around them — reviewed by a person before it ever reaches a family, never sent unchecked.

Later, if you'd like, you'll be able to turn your child's story into a short film of their world — a separate, optional extra.

How it works

Join now. Write your story later.

1

Join the waitlist

Add your email below. It takes a few seconds — no credit card, ever.

2

We'll email you

When it's your turn, we'll let you know. Only then will you write it.

3

Name your hero, choose their world

Pick a first name and a story world. For a child, only their parent or guardian can add their details.

Book Week, 22 to 28 August

Join the waitlist.

500,000 free digital stories are available, one per child. A parent or guardian can join for a child, or you can join for yourself.

Your email address

books.com.au collects your email address to add you to the Book Week waitlist and to send you a one-off notice when the platform opens. We'll email you once to confirm, and again when it's your turn to create your story — that's the service you're joining. If you opt in separately, we'll also send other news and updates — unsubscribe any time. We do not collect any information about your child at this stage. See our Privacy Policy for details.

I am 18 or older. I'm joining as the parent or guardian who will later claim a story for a child, or as an adult creating one for myself or as a gift. I accept the Waitlist Terms and Privacy Policy, and I understand I'll receive a one-off email when books.com.au opens for story creation.

Also email me other news and updates from books.com.au. Unsubscribe any time. We will never contact your child directly.

No credit card required.

You're on the list — we'll email you when it's your turn.

If the story is for a child, only their parent or guardian will be asked to add the child's details.

Free personalised digital story, valued at up to A$10 (comparable retail, not cash). Limited to 500,000 stories; one per child. Subject to availability. The printed hardcover is a separate paid purchase.