Join. Borrow. Read. Win!
BIG Summer Read
If you are aged 0-18, join the BIG Summer Read for your chance to WIN!
All you need to do is read and log five books or five days reading using the Readbooks website and you'll be automatically entered into the prize draw. For every additional five books or five days, you'll receive an extra entry.
It is that easy so what are you waiting for?
Prizes this year include a Kobo Clara Colour eReader plus wireless headphones, LEGO Luna Outpost Moon Rover, Yoto Mini Audio Player and book packs.
What is the BIG Summer Read?
The BIG Summer Read is our annual reading challenge for children presented by Public Libraries Victoria and Glen Eira Libraries.
The BIG Summer Read is open readers ages 0-18. It aims to encourage children to read for pleasure and addresses the issue of the 'summer slide'. This refers to the loss of literacy experienced over the long summer break if children are not exposed to books or reading.
The challenge will start on Monday 1 December 2025 and finish on Saturday 31 January 2026.
What are the key dates?
Competition opens: Monday 1 December 2025.
Competition closes: Saturday 31 January 2026.
Local prize winners will be announced at The Big Summer Read Wrap Party on Thursday 19 February 2026. Don't worry if you can't attend, we will notify the prize winners by email.
National and State prize winners will be notified after Monday 23 February 2026.
Am I eligible to participate?
The BIG Summer Read is open to both independent and non-independent readers ages 0-18.
To enter, you just need to be a Glen Eira Libraries member.
It doesn’t matter if you are devouring books by yourself, or still require the assistance of an adult to enjoy a story, all children are welcome to enter.
Participants can log any book they read, that is read to them, or listened to as an audio.
Do I have to register?
Yes - you do.
You can participate in any of the following ways:
- Head to the Read Books website and register for an account
- Pick up a reading log from your local library, record the books read and fill in your details.
- Return log to any Glen Eira Library.
You can of course always check in with a friendly member of staff for more information at any time - we are here to help!
Are there prizes?
Yes! There will be a national and a statewide prize draw to encourage participation.
Glen Eira Libraries is also giving away a bunch of local prizes.
These are:
Ages 0-4
- 3 x $50 book packs
Ages 5-8
- Yoto Mini Audio Player AND Make Your Own Yoto Card Pack
Ages 9-12
- LEGO Luna Outpost Moon Rover AND $50 chapter book pack
Ages 13-18
- Kobo Clara Colour eReader AND JBL Wireless On Ear Headphones
All registrations on the ReadBooks website will be automatically added to the local draw.
National Prizes are:
Ages 0-4
- Picture Book Bundle Pack
Ages 5-8
- Books and Activity Pack
Ages 9-12
- Bluetooth Headphones
Ages 13-18
- Kobo eReader
Victorian State Prizes are:
For each of the four age categories
- One 12-month Zoos Victoria Family Membership (2 adults and all children in 1 household) and one book pack
What books count?
Any book read over the challenge period will count. This includes but is not limited to:
- Picture books (including any read at BabyTime or StoryTime)
- Early Readers
- Chapter Books
- Graphic Novels
- Audio Books
- Books in other languages
- Magazines
- eBooks
- eAudioBooks
- ePress
eBooks, eAudioBooks and ePress can also be counted. Make sure to check out BorrowBox and Story Box Library for lots of great titles.
Also check out LOTE4Kids where you can enjoy the magic of books in Languages Other than English (LOTE) both at the library and at home.
Is there a paper tracker available?
There is a paper reading log available from any Glen Eira Libraries branch.
Are you running any events?
The Nutcracker: An Interactive StoryTime
Wednesday 3 December, 2pm at Caulfield Library
Saturday 13 December, 2pm at Carnegie Library and Community Centre
Join Clara and the Nutcracker Prince on a journey to the Kingdom of Sweets! Inspired by E. T. A. Hoffmann’s classic tale and set to Tchaikovsky’s melodies, this magical StoryTime brings to life a child’s dreams and the wonders of the unknown. Written and performed by crowd favourite, Hila Tells Stories.
Free event and no bookings required. Suitable for all ages. Children must not be left unattended.
Chanukah Stories and Crafternoon Take-over
Sunday 14 December, 2pm
Elsternwick Library
Celebrate the first day of Chanukah with festive stories, followed by art and craft in this special Holiday Crafternoon Takeover!
This event is hosted by the team from PJ Library — a Jewish engagement program that provides families raising Jewish children with a monthly gift of high-quality books. These award-winning stories celebrate Jewish culture, values and traditions through beautiful illustrations and heartfelt storytelling.
Free event and no bookings required. Suitable for all ages. Children must not be left unattended.
Mover and Maker: We’re going on a bear hunt
Monday 19 January, 11am
Caulfield Library
Can you spot the bear? Join us for a special screening of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, then set off on your own scavenger hunt adventure! Search for hidden clues, solve puzzles, and see if you can find the bear.
Adults do not require a ticket, but children must not be left unattended. Suitable for ages 3 and up.
Bookings are preferred to help us plan ahead.
The BIG Summer Read Wrap Party
Thursday 19 February, 4-6pm
Bentleigh Library and Youth Hub
Come down to Bentleigh Library and Youth Hub for summer freestyle crafts, gaming fun and snacks - and stick around for the BIG Summer Read competition prize winner announcements!
Free event and no bookings required. Wait times may apply. Suitable for all ages. Children under 12 must not be left unattended.
