A symphony of stories celebrated for Children’s Book Week

Like a great symphony, reading draws together many interwoven elements: sounds, words, language, vocabulary, background knowledge, memory and meaning.   

Catholic Education Tasmania schools across the state have recently celebrated Children’s Book Week, with the 2026 theme being a ‘Symphony of Stories’. 

Jennifer White, CET System Lead: Curriculum and Pedagogy, said it had been a privilege throughout her career to share a symphony of stories with young people.

“Whether wandering through the magical forests of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, accompanying Oliver Twist on his search for belonging, or exploring the triumphs and flaws of Shakespeare’s unforgettable characters, I witnessed the power of story to transform lives,” Jennifer said. 

CET schools celebrated the week with a variety of fun activities, with many hosting a parade to display the unique costumes that students and their families had created. Stella Maris Catholic Primary School in Burnie hosted guest readers for the week, inviting members of the community, parents, grandparents, siblings and staff to share a book that is special to them with students.

Ensuring every child develops the knowledge and skills required to become a confident reader, is at the heart of everything that CET does in its schools.

“We know that reading is the gateway to all learning, unlocking doors to opportunity, participation and human flourishing,” Jennifer said.

“It is through reading that learners gain access not only to the curriculum, but also to the accumulated wisdom, creativity and stories of humanity.”

“Through our commitment to high-quality literacy instruction, we seek to ensure that every child can take their place within the Symphony of Stories.”

Jennifer said it was the responsibility of our CET schools to teach reading well, “so that every learner can experience the wonder, wisdom and possibility that stories provide and ultimately discover their own unique voice within the symphony”.