Choosing Our Books

AU Book Selection Committee

United Way Australia has a Cradle to Career education strategy called ReadLearnSucceed (RLS). One of its aims is to tackle the statistic that 1 in 5 children start school without the basics to succeed. The program endeavors to support children, parents and the community to ensure more children start school with the literacy skills required to learn.

As part of our ReadLearnSucceed strategy, United Way Australia acquired the licence for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Australia in early 2013. This initiative, in partnership with Penguin Random House Australia , delivers a quality, age-appropriate book once a month direct to children at home from birth to 5 years old in targeted communities. Our vision is that all children start school ready to read and learn so that they can succeed in life. Over the next five years, we aim to inspire, educate and equip families from identified communities with the means to support early childhood literacy.

As books are a fundamental component of the program, we have a book selection committee in place to review the current range of books provided by our program partner, Penguin Random House Australia and recommend new titles to refresh the library from time to time, ensuring that children and particularly younger siblings receive a range of titles over their time with the library.

The committee represents independent experts in the field of children’s education.

Australia Book Selection Committee

2016 Australia Book Selection Committee

United Way Australia’s book selection committee is comprised of independent experts in the field of children’s education. They are responsible for reviewing the current range of books provided by our program partner, Penguin Random House Australia, and for recommending new titles to refresh the library from time to time, ensuring that children and particularly younger siblings receive a range of titles over their time with the library.

Dr. Bridie Raban

Honorary Professor of Early Childhood Education, University of Melbourne, Deakin University
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Dr. Helen Adam

Senior Lecturer – School of Education, Edith Cowan University
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Alicia Hansen

Indigenous Preschool Advancement Strategy Facilitator, Eureka Community Kindergarten Association Inc
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Kelly Makepeace

Early Childhood Literacy Officer/ Speech Pathologist, Central Northern Regional Libraries
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Alison Lester (AM)

Author and illustrator
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Cathy Hall

Early Childhood Teacher
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Paula McLean

Author and Editor
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Jan Carrol

Early Childhood Teacher and Lecturer
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