24 February 2026
Students across Western Australia are learning how to build their own books, while also raising funds for their school’s Parents and Citizens' Associations (P&Cs).
The Book Builders Challenge, created in 2024 by award-winning junior fiction author Kristy Nita Brown, empowers young people to create, share and publish their own picture books, chapter books and graphic novels.
Guided by Ms Brown and a team of professional writers and illustrators, students explore every stage of the creative process, from brainstorming ideas and writing, to illustrating, editing and designing their book layouts.
They also learn how to craft blurbs, promote their work and submit their finished books to a contest judged by industry experts.
Designed to align with the Western Australian curriculum, the challenge integrates English, the arts, mathematics and technologies. What makes the program unique is the direct engagement students have with professional authors, illustrators and publishers, giving them valuable insights into the real-world process of bringing a book to life.
In 2025, 350 Year 4, 5 and 6 students from Collier, East Victoria Park, Kensington and Manning primary schools participated in the challenge.
Manning Primary School Principal Hayden O’Mara said the program had already created many positive experiences for students.
"The Book Builders Challenge has been an extraordinary opportunity for our students. Being mentored by real authors and illustrators has sparked a genuine love for storytelling," he said.
Kristy Brown inspiring future authors.
At Manning, we are always looking for ways to make learning meaningful, and this program has done exactly that.
"Students are writing for an audience, with purpose and passion.
"Seeing the pride on their faces as their ideas come to life has been a real highlight of the year."
Ms Brown said she was inspired to start the challenge to show kids that they have the ability to publish a book.
“Reverse-engineering a completed book helps kids understand how writing works and why we do it,” she said.
"When they see a real, physical outcome they can hold, the value of the process becomes clear and they’re eager to jump in."
The 2025 challenge ended with large book launch events held over four sessions at two venues: the Town of Victoria Park Library and the South Perth Community Centre.
Every student’s completed book was showcased, and a panel of judges selected one book from each school for publication. The winning titles were professionally printed and sold at the events, with all proceeds donated to the participating schools' P&Cs.
For more information and to learn when the 2026 challenge kicks off, visit Ms Brown's website.