Big Ideas Alison Lester and Jane Godwin on how children’s books change lives
Aug 21, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Alison Lester, a beloved children's author and inaugural Australian Children's Laureate, joins Jane Godwin, an award-winning author and former children's publisher. They explore the profound impact of childhood reading on personal growth, creativity, and identity. The duo shares heartwarming anecdotes about influential books and the importance of relatable storytelling, especially for underprivileged and Indigenous communities. They also highlight initiatives to foster a love for reading and the evolving landscape of children's literature.
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Early Reading Predicts Life Outcomes
- Being read to as a child is the strongest predictor of future life prospects, stronger than school type or parents' education.
- Early shared reading builds lifelong readers and shapes values during formative years.
Reading Under Blankets
- Alison Lester remembers reading late under blankets with a torch because her father would scold her for staying up.
- That childhood reading habit fed a lifelong love of stories and influenced her work.
Finding Home In Books
- Jane Godwin recalls discovering Australian-set books like Ivan Southall which made her feel her country was valid for stories.
- The Secret Garden taught her about metaphor and how stories can mirror personal growth.
