Join us for a fun-filled day of stories, workshops and craft, with an exceptional line-up of kids’ lit talent.

We are delighted to be partnering with Sydney Writers’ Festival for a full day of activities for children and families. Join us at the Library for author talks, storytime sessions, workshops, art-making and more.

Presented by Sydney Writers’ Festival.

Event information
Date: Sun, 16 August 2026, 10:00 am – 3:30 pm
Cost: Free

Time to get your craft on!
All ages.
Sunday 16 August
10am-2.30pm
State Library of NSW, John B Fairfax Learning Centre
Let your imagination soar as we dive into the world of craft and stories, hosted by author and craft connoisseurs Amanda Lieber and Jo Staker. All ages.

Screens off. Imaginations on.
All ages.
Sunday 16 August
10am-3.30pm
State Library of NSW, The Glasshouse
Visit the Yoto Listening Zone and have fun exploring a range of Yoto audio players that put kids safely in control of their listening, learning and play. No microphones. No cameras. No ads. All ages.

Scheme, write and draw
Ages 8+
Sunday 16 August
10.30-11.30am
State Library of NSW, Dixson Room
All tickets $10
A fun-filled interactive session that takes you behind the scenes of bringing illustrated chapter books to life with author and illustrator Adrian Beck. Rec. ages 8+

Laugh, dance and sing
Ages 3+
Sunday 16 August
10.30-11.15am
State Library of NSW, Library Auditorium
Join award-winning children’s performer Lucas Proudfoot and a cast of unforgettable characters on a non-stop musical adventure around Pelican Bay. Rec. ages 3+

Relax, take a seat and enjoy a story...
Ages 4+
Sunday 16 August
11.30am-12pm
State Library of NSW, The Children’s Library
Come along for a fun storytime session with Yvonne Sewankambo and Ronojoy Ghosh, the creators of Where Am I From? Hear this wonderful story and find out more about its creation. Rec. ages 4+

The suspense is chilling...
Ages 10+
Sunday 16 August
12-1pm
State Library of NSW, Dixson Room
All tickets $10
Bestselling author A.L. Tait shares her secrets in this writing workshop, exploring the key elements of a mystery story, plus five insider tips to take your story from okay to outstanding. Rec. ages 10+

Fairytales retold with funny twists
Ages 7+
Sunday 16 August
12.15-1pm
State Library of NSW, Library Auditorium
This interactive session with Tim Harris and Christopher Nielsen features live storytelling, readings and illustrations along with ridiculous (yet true) facts about fairytales, interviews with some of the characters and much more! Rec. ages 7+

Be brave, brilliant and bold with Billie B Brown
Sunday 16 August
1.15-1.45pm
State Library of NSW, The Children’s Library
Join in on the release of the new graphic novel series Billie B Brown’s Secret Mystery Club with illustrator Aki Fukuoka. Rec. ages 5+

Do you have a special tree in your life?
Ages 9+
Sunday 16 August
1.30-2.30pm
State Library of NSW, Dixson Room
All tickets $10
Come create a cartoon-comic-collage – perhaps a love letter, memory or story about a special tree in your life. Facilitated by Trace Balla, the creator of Treeshape. Rec. ages 9+

Storytime fun with sharks!
Ages 4+
Sunday 16 August
2-2.30pm
State Library of NSW, The Children’s Library
Come along for a fun storytime session with Cate James, the author and illustrator of The Boy and the Shark. Hear her latest book and find out more about how she creates her work. Rec. ages 4+

Round up the unusual suspects...
Ages 7+
Sunday 16 August
2.45-3.30pm
State Library of NSW, Library Auditorium
Mystery and thriller creators Adrian Beck, Samera Kamaleddine, Christopher Nielsen and A.L. Tait go head-to-head in an epic game show to test their skills in storytelling, drawing, spelling, book knowledge and more. Rec. ages 7+