News Releases
DECEMBER 17, 2020
SBL Summer Holiday Story and Activity Challenge
BY JAMES BENNETT
Keep kids inspired with diverse stories and creative activities over the summer with Story Box Library’s Summer Holiday Story and Activity Challenge.
Designed to support the reading programs and book clubs already offered by public libraries, we’ve created a list of our favourite online stories celebrating a range of voices, ideas and communities. We connect children with the world of stories through storytelling outside of regular library opening hours and when physically getting to the library isn't possible.
By participating in the challenge, kids will be able to tick each story off as they watch them and see how many of our fun Activity Time projects they can complete.
Download the free SBL story and activity packet here! Packet includes checklists, fridge cards, certificate and social media promotional tiles.
The checklists also leave room for children to add some of their own SBL favourites to see how many they can complete before returning to school.
The challenge also encourages children to return to the library to see if they can find some of our stories on their library’s shelves. Librarians can encourage young patrons to take the challenge further by borrowing the books so they can read the story on their own, be a storyteller for their family or have the story read to them by a sibling, parent or carer.
To participate in our Summer Reading Challenge, children should follow the steps below:
1. Log in via storyboxlibrary.com.au/libraries or a subscribing library’s website with a participating library card.
2. To view SBL’s Summer Reading Challenge, visit the age-appropriate links below to find stories suitable for children:
(Alternatively, go to SBL’s Stories page here and click on the 'Show Filters' option to select Summer Reading Challenge from the Reading Challenges drop down list – visitors can further refine the list of stories using the other filter options available, such as age, duration and theme)
3. Children can share their progress with SBL’s and your library’s audience once they've read a story and completed an accompanying Activity Time. Tag SBL on Facebook or Instagram using #storytimeanytime #sblholidaychallenge. Please remind them to tag their local library too!
With 24/7 access to our website of over 335 stories - we can’t wait to see how children across Australia and New Zealand do!
Recent News Releases
ParentTV's Seen Documentary launching in the UK!
April 16, 2025
After a phenomenal run in Australian cinemas, Seen has been selected for screening across the UK in 42 cinemas on May 12. Clearly, it’s striking a chord with parents around the world!This deeply moving documentary explores the stories we carry from childhood, the way they show up in our parenting,...
Read more
‘There’s no one-size-fits-all approach anymore, and that’s exciting’
April 13, 2025
In the lead-up to the 2025 Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIAs), Books+Publishing is in conversation with the event’s major sponsors about the status of the industry, what excites them about the future, and what they have to offer publishers, booksellers and readers. Sarah Phillpot, general manager at James Bennett, spoke...
Read more
Packing Night for Kinder Kits 2025!
April 1, 2025
Earlier this month, our Senior Sales Consultant, Chris Epple, and I had the opportunity to attend the Kinder Kits packing night—an incredible initiative by the Victorian Department of Education that provides free early learning packs to every child starting funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten. These kits are filled with books, puzzles, and...
Read more
Delivery Update: South-East QLD & Northern NSW
March 4, 2025
Due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred, all deliveries to South-East Queensland and Northern New South Wales libraries have been paused until further notice.Our thoughts are with the libraries and communities affected by these conditions. We appreciate your patience and apologise for any inconvenience.Take care of yourselves, be safe and we’ll see...
Read more
In Conversation with Peter Norris!
February 23, 2025
What inspired you to write this? Why now?As a former ward of the state of Victoria, I attempted to testify at the Royal Commission into the historical treatment of State Wards. Unfortunately, I was unable to read my statement, as it was deemed that it would have a detrimental mental...
Read more
Far North QLD Flooding & Delays
February 3, 2025
Severe weather and flooding in Far North Queensland are causing significant freight delays. Some depots remain operational, but many areas are cut off or unsafe for deliveries. Freight is still in transit, and deliveries will resume as soon as conditions allow.Our thoughts are with the libraries and communities affected by...
Read more