We’re thrilled here at the Hub to be partnering again in the Big Summer Read initiative! And while we’ve kept this secret under our (pointy, sparkly, shiny) hats, we can FINALLY reveal our Big Summer Read story and storyteller for 2025–2026.   Drumroll please ...   Our next Big Summer Read summer ambassador is the fabulous Tony Armstrong!   

Tony reads his magical picture book, George the Wizard, an uplifting story about friendship and the rewards that come from being the real you. 

Tony is a proud Gamilaroi man, former professional AFL football player, and a radio and television presenter. Tony is also a talented writer and creator – George the Wizard is his debut picture book, with bright, bold artwork by Emma Sjaan Beukers, who together have created ‘a quirky, psychedelic universe in which creatures of all shapes and sizes have a place’ (Sydney Morning Herald). 

The Big Summer Read is open to any child ages 0-18. It aims to encourage children to read for pleasure and addresses the issue of the 'summer slide'. This refers to the loss of literacy experienced over the long summer break if children are not exposed to books or reading (see below for more tips on avoiding the summer slide!).

Once the challenge begins, children can borrow books, listen to/watch stories and earn badges along the way - and the good news is that watching stories on StoryBox also counts towards your reading logs, with the chance to earn extra badges for special stories. 

Only books logged between 1 December - 31 January will count towards the program and any prize draws.

Want to find out more about the Big Summer Read? Click here.
Want to know how you can log in to access StoryBox?

For school or early childhood centre access, contact us here. 

For family access via your local participating library, click here. 

For subscription options, click here. 

StoryBox Hub has created a suite of banners and tiles for you to use at your organisation to promote the Big Summer Read.
Click on the image below to download and access the assets.

Want to find out more about the Big Summer Read? Click here.

Tips on Avoiding the Summer Slide

The ‘Summer Slide’ is the dip in reading skills that kids often suffer from after they’ve stepped away from their on-going reading that happens during the year. 

And the knock-on effect of the trend has real consequences when kids go back to school the following year. From lower literacy skills to interest in reading in general, the ‘summer slide’ is a real - and insidious - trend. We’d love to help you make sure that this doesn’t happen in your household this summer! 

The research* around this is pretty telling. And the ways to address the slide are easy to integrate and maintain, too. Here are few interesting facts to consider:

  • Choice and autonomy are critical factors when it comes to boosting the motivation for kids to read (and there’s a HUGE selection for young readers in the StoryBox Hub to choose from!)

  • Kids love having books read aloud to them at home. And why? Because this simple but powerful activity is one that creates and fosters connection. One of the best reasons to tell and share stories, don’t you think?

  • Exposing children to storybooks not only encourages them to read for pleasure but also helps their literacy skills when they’re teenagers (their high school English teachers are thanking you already!). 

Here are a few suggestions to make the only summer slide your kids experience is the one that’s in your local playground this summer:

  • We know that YOU know that public libraries are awesome. And not only because of the print books on offer, but also because of the range of graphic books for older kids, as well as eBooks, too. That regular visit to your local library can make all the difference in igniting your child’s creativity and love of words.

  • Letting kids pick out their own books is super-important. Those three year olds you know? By the age of seven, they’ll be better readers because of it. 

  • Delve into the wonders of the StoryBox collection, too. If you can’t get physically to your library, you’re easily able to access - and supplement your home collection with - the many, many books available to you. Not sure how to do this? Your local library has all the details you need.

The Big Summer Read is available through participating libraries in VIC / NSW / TAS / QLD / SA. If you live outside of these states, talk to your local library about what summer reading programs may be offered in your community.