The Children’s Book Festival returns to the State Library of Victoria on Sunday 23 March, a festival where authors are celebrities - and rightly so.

It’s a big day, no doubt about it. There are noises, kids, prams, balloons, fairy costumes, various attached ears, and plenty of face-painted princesses, spiders and ogres. There are also over-excited (or at times under-excited) parents, always over-excited children, mascots, giveaways, music - and that’s just at the Readings tent. The Children’s Book Festival is a wild day where being a kid and being a reader is celebrated, and the whole day has a heady atmosphere of pure delight.

Brought to you by the Wheeler Centre and the State Library of Victoria who know how to put on a party, one that is supported, I like to think, by Readings, this festival is an acknowledgement of the worlds created by authors who spin their magic for children. For many children, these authors are rock stars; I have seen kids chasing an autograph from Andy Griffiths and Sally Rippin, determined and focussed in a manner reminiscent of Bieber fever. The day is a wonderful reminder that everyone needs a hero, whatever age, and sometimes that hero can be found in the pages of a book.

This year both Andy and Sally are back for more. John Marsden will be there too, bridging the gap between primary and secondary school readers. The program features a section on graphic novels and another on illustrations. There is a maze (the Sticky Maze to be exact) to lose the kids in, and a stage on the State Library lawn with bands playing.

The day kicks off at 10am sharp and we’d love you to come and visit us in the Readings tent or shop. I promise we will have your favourite book there.

For more information about the festival program please visit