Andy Griffiths launches Great Book Swap for First Nations kids
With the help of a preening pair of red-tailed black cockatoos, Australia’s Children’s Laureate has launched the 2026 Great Book Swap at Taronga Zoo – here’s how your school can get swapping
READING LEVEL: GREEN
Animal encounters and birds in flight helped best-selling author and Children’s Laureate* Andy Griffiths soar as he officially launched the 2026 Great Book Swap at Sydney Taronga Zoo.
The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) took the annual Great Book Swap to new heights, aiming to raise $250,000 to help deliver 25,000 books to First Nations children living in remote Communities.
Schools, universities and organisations throughout Australia are invited to swap a book and make a donation to the ILF, helping them to provide culturally relevant books for children in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Communities around the country.
Also an ILF lifetime ambassador*, Griffiths joined Bunuba storyteller Joe Ross, his partner Stacey Bush and their children Remi and Boheme Ross, who illustrated Winthali (Fire), a written adaptation of the Bunuba Dreamtime story Girrganyi, meaning “brown falcon” in Bunuba language.
With Sydney Harbour as the stunning backdrop, the ILF welcomed more than 80 First Nations primary school students to Taronga.
The kids were treated to the show-stealing antics of native red-tailed black cockatoos Wattle and Monotoco, in a tribute to Girrganyi in the Winthali (Fire) book.
Mr Ross and his Danggu family are custodians* of many Bunuba stories. Ms Bush wrote the English text for Winthali, while kids Remi and Boheme created the illustrations, passing cultural knowledge between generations. The Ross family celebrated their book with attending students, who learned all about Girrganyi, one of the featured animal and language teaching resources.
“There are less than 50 Elders who speak Bunuba now and it’s important to keep our language, culture and stories alive for the next generation,” Mr Ross said.
Animals play a central role in First Nations storytelling and this year’s Great Book Swap teacher resources celebrate that connection.
Griffiths said reading was an adventure and hosting a Great Book Swap was “a simple yet powerful act”.
“Hosting a Great Book Swap at your school, university or workplace is the perfect way to remind your friends, students and co-workers of the power of books to entertain, enchant and maybe even change their lives,” he said.
“And, at the same time, you are helping to raise funds used to provide books for children in remote Communities, so that they can experience the same benefits. Reading opens doors.”
Animal encounters also thrilled the young guests. Taronga Indigenous education officer Bill Simpson said the zoo was delighted to officially host the Great Book Swap launch.
“Located on beautiful Cammeraygal* Country, Taronga is committed to educating the youth of today about the rare and remarkable wildlife that roam our planet, while also sharing stories that celebrate Indigenous culture and deep connections to Country,” Mr Simpson said.
“As a conservation* organisation, we recognise the importance of First Nations knowledge in guiding how we care for the land, tread lightly on our planet, and protect our environment for generations to come.”
HOW TO HOST A GREAT BOOK SWAP
Schools, libraries, universities, book clubs, workplaces and individuals can host a Great Book Swap at any time this year.
Those who submit funds by 30 June 2026 will go into the draw to win the Early Bird prize – a book pack of ten ILF titles.
Schools submitting funds by 1 November 2026 will automatically receive a virtual visit from Andy Griffiths.
When school teachers sign up for a Great Book Swap, they receive complimentary access to teacher resources celebrating animals.
The four animal and language teaching resources include Girrganyi (brown falcon in Bunuba), Marntuwunyini (dugong in Tiwi), Bigibigi (pig in Kriol) and Yari (whale in Yawuru).
BUSKING FOR CHANGE
The ILF also launched Busking for Change, an advocacy campaign in its fourth year. Developed by musician and ILF ambassador Josh Pyke, Busking for Change encourages primary students to learn a song and raise funds, culminating in a school performance on Indigenous Literacy Day on 2 September 2026.
Registrations for the Great Book Swap are now open at greatbookswap.org.au.
Find out more about the Indigenous Literacy Foundation at ilf.org.au/education
POLL
GLOSSARY
- Children’s Laureate: an Australian children’s author and/or illustrator named given the honourable role of promoting the power of reading
- ambassador: beyond diplomacy, ambassadors are individuals or groups who represent and promote the values, practices and perspectives of a specific cultural group
- Danggu: a specific point along the Fitzoy River where the water pools deep below the gorge walls, this is the spiritual centre for the Danggu people
- custodians: caretakers, people with responsibility for protecting or taking care of something or keeping something in good condition
- Cammeraygal: traditional custodians of the land and waters of the lower north shore of Sydney Harbour
- conservation: protection of animals, plants, and natural resources
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QUICK QUIZ
- Who is Australia’s Children Laureate?
- The launch of the 2026 Great Book Swap held at which iconic Australian zoo?
- How many First Nations students attended?
- How many Elders are left with speak the Bunuba Indigenous language?
- What is the fundraising goal of this year’s Great Book Swap and what will the money be used to fund?
LISTEN TO THIS STORY
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. What can we do?
What are some steps that you think we should take to make sure that languages like Bunuba do not disappear? Write a list.
Time: spend at least 10 minutes on this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Personal and Social Capability
2. Extension
Create a list of activities that could happen in your school for the Great Book Swap. Then, write a letter to the teachers at your school describing your activities and explaining why your school should get involved.
Time: spend at least 20 minutes on this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Personal and Social Capability
VCOP ACTIVITY
I spy nouns
Nouns are places, names (of people and objects), and time (months or days of the week).
How many nouns can you find in the article?
Can you sort them into places, names and time?
Pick three nouns and add an adjective (describing word) to the nouns.