The Book Links Narelle Oliver Lecture 2025 will be presented by Sally Rippin in conversation with Dr Lara Cain Gray
This session is aimed at teachers, teacher-librarians, librarians, parents and any adults with an interest in Children’s Literature.
Empowering Voices: The Intersection of Advocacy and Passionate Storytelling
Teachers, librarians, avid readers, and children’s book creators are invited to join Award-winning author and the current Australian Children’s Laureate, Sally Rippin, for an inspiring and informative presentation. In conversation with fellow author and advocate Lara Cain Gray, Sally will explore her use of passionate storytelling to foster inclusive reading environments.
The conversation will delve into strategies for helping all children to become readers by creating a culture that supports diverse learning styles, abilities, and backgrounds. Attendees will gain practical tools for fostering literacy, enhancing creativity, and promoting equity, ensuring every reader feels empowered and engaged. Whether you’re an experienced educator or a committed creator, this event offers valuable insights to help you make a lasting impact in the classroom and beyond.
Sally Rippin writes stories with heart and characters that resonate with children, parents, and teachers alike. Her widely popular books are beloved across the globe, and she has more than ten million copies in print worldwide spanning eighteen countries. Her most popular series include Billie B Brown, Hey Jack! and School of Monsters. She has also written one book for adults: Wild Things: How We Learn to Read and What Can Happen If We Don’t.
As the eight Australian Children’s Laureate, Sally is currently travelling around the country and internationally to talk about the ways we can share stories and support children who might struggle to read.
A mum of three boys, Sally is particularly passionate about advocacy for kids who may have ADHD, Dyslexia or learning challenges. She lives in Melbourne, Australia, and is currently working on several books for children as well as adapting her work for the screen.
Dr Lara Cain Gray has built her multi-discipline career through roles in libraries and museums, academic teaching and research, in Australia and the UK. In her current position at non-profit publisher Library For All, she delivers cross-cultural and multilingual books to communities where poverty, history or remoteness prevents children’s access to traditional libraries.
She is a book reviewer, literary prize judge and public speaker who will NEVER be too old for picture books. Her 2024 book, The Grown-Up’s Guide to Picture Books, is an A to Z guide to what makes a great picture book great. One reviewer wrote: ‘No teacher, teacher librarian or library collection, regardless of the age of their audience, should be without this important text.’
Price: Members of Book Links $28, non-members $35 Food and drink provided.
Time: Wednesday 14 May, 2025. Arrive by 6:00 pm to buy books and to find a park.
Session to start at 7:00 pm.
This annual lecture is named in memory of Narelle Oliver, to acknowledge her contribution to children’s literature and her work as a founding member of Book Links. The Narelle Oliver Lecture seeks to raise the profile of children’s literature, to stimulate discussion and disseminate the results of current research on children’s literature.
