Melbourne Writers Festival x Story Box Library series
26 Aug 2021
In partnership with Melbourne Writers Festival, Story Box Library has released nine exciting story reads, featuring some of Australia’s favourite writers and musicians - Emma Donovan, Jamila Rizvi, Kate Miller-Heidke, Alice Pung and Paul Dempsey. The full series is available to SBL subscribers now, including three titles translated into Auslan. Explore individual stories below or via our Melbourne Writers Festival series page here.
Everyone walks right past Pete – except for one little boy. He sees Pete’s big smile and bright drawings, and they make a connection. The boy can’t give Pete a home, but when Pete gets sick, he can show he cares. A heartfelt, moving story about the importance of really seeing the world around us and the power in tiny acts of kindness, written by Maggie Hutchings, illustrated by Evie Barrow and read by Paul Dempsey.
With a strong message of interconnectedness, hope and empowerment, This Small Blue Dot follows a little girl exploring the big and small things in life. From contemplating our place on this ‘blue dot’ to the best Italian, Chinese and Indian desserts, the story provides a broader, more inclusive view of who we are, where we come from and where our dreams may take us. Written and illustrated by Zeno Sworder and read by Alice Pung.
Sometimes, we need to remember all the things we can do to be part of the world. Small things, like offering a smile. And bigger things, like hoping, dreaming, imagining… Written by Jane Godwin, illustrated by Anna Walker and read by Emma Donovan.
When Arno loses his precious toy horse, all the kids in town help him to look for it. They look everywhere, but will Arno ever see his horse again?
A touching story about memory, dreams, and the mysterious ways we feel connected to those we love. Written by Jane Godwin, illustrated by Felicita Sala and read by Paul Dempsey.
An insightful, topical and practical story about a family coping with the changes brought about by Covid 19, written and read by much-loved Jamila Rizvi and illustrated by Peter Cheong. Inspired by her own child’s experience, Jamila wrote I'm a Hero Too to help children make sense of the changes to their world and to help them feel empowered and reassured about how they can be a hero at their house too! A story for our time right now, but also for all times, as children will always need reassurance about change.
Tessa and Zachary have a machine that is swift and splendiferous. Every day it carries them from here to there and back again in cool calm comfort. But one morning, the machine breaks down. Tessa and Zachary are forced to venture into the world beyond its metal walls. Written by Meg McKinlay, illustrated by Kyle Hughes-Odgers and read by Kate Miller-Heidke.
The following stories are also available in Auslan:
Found
Set in the rugged Australian bush, Found is about a small calf who becomes separated from his family, who have been taken away in the back of a noisy truck. Written by Bruce Pascoe, illustrated by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis, and read by Emma Donovan for Melbourne Writers Festival.
The Unwilling Twin
Jules and George are the same in every way.
It is quite impossible to tell them apart.
Like all twins, Jules and George do everything together.
But after a long, hot day at the beach, even twins sometimes disagree ...
From multi-award-winning creator Freya Blackwood comes a cheeky and charming story about the ups and downs of sibling love. Read by Alice Pung and translated into Auslan by Jason Alford and Auslan Consultancy.
The Unwilling Twin - Auslan Edition
How To Make A Bird
How To Make A Bird is a moving and visually stunning story that celebrates the transformative power of the creative process from inception through recognition to celebration and releasing into the world. Written by Meg McKinley, illustrated by Matt Ottley, read by Kate Miller Heidke and translated into Auslan by Jason Alford and Auslan Consultancy.
