Meet your favourite authors, enter a storytelling competition, go on a scavenger hunt, beat a bookish escape room and join in some fantastic workshops!
Illustration from Treeshape by Trace Balla published by Allen & Unwin
Friday 2nd of October
Today’s jam packed program includes hijacked storytelling, comical comics, a collage workshop, a Koorie Heritage walk, koala yoga and more!
19th September - 4th October2026
Over the school holidays embark on a free scavenger hunt around Southbank based on the graphic novel Inked by Karen Wassan and Jake A. Minton. Pick up a free map from Mary Martin Bookshop.
Saturday 3rd of October
Day 2’s highlights include the Battle of the Illustrators, poetry and zine workshops, an interactive dance performance and the Grand Finale with Andy Griffiths!
19th September - 4th October 2026
Think you can outsmart our escape room? Try your luck and match your wits to this devious set of puzzles based on The Phantom of Flinder’s Street by Mitchell Toy.
Saturday 3rd of October
Andy Griffiths will answer all your questions: even the ones he doesn’t know the answer to! We’ll conclude with the announcement of the Storytelling Competition.
2nd - 3rd October 2026
Live author signings, face-painting, dance performances and craft activities. Come and check out what’s happening at our free festival hub over the two days of Book Fest.
Illustration from Treeshape by Trace Balla published by Allen & Unwin
Are you a young writer or artist? Share a story through a picture or words and enter our writing and illustration competition.
There are lots of prizes to be won and all of the finalists’ stories and artwork will be showcased at the 2026 Melbourne Kids Book Fest. The winners will be announced at Book Fest by Andy Griffiths, the Australian Children’s Laureate.
The 2026 Melbourne Kids Book Fest was made possible by a Penguin Children’s Bookseller Grant.
With additional support from:
