- State Library of Western Australia’s early literacy program celebrates 20 years of building a love of reading
- Free reading packs and literacy activities for ages 0 to 5 to support brain development in the early years
- New look program resources and new Baby Ways board book for next generation of WA children
The State Library of Western Australia has celebrated the 20th anniversary of Better Beginnings – Australia’s longest-running early literacy program – by launching new look program resources and a newly published version of the iconic Baby Ways book.
The program provides free reading packs and literacy resources to support parents and carers in their critical role as their child’s first and most important teacher.
Introducing book boxes
From 2026, the blue Baby Book Box and red Preschool Book Box will be available through public libraries, child health nurses and other delivery partners.
The new packs contain more books and simplified information, in direct response to parent feedback.
The baby box is gifted at the 8-week child health appointment. The toddler and kindergarten packs have been merged into one preschool box for two- to five-year olds to provide more flexibility of delivery for program partners.
Baby Ways reborn
The Baby Ways book – which has captivated babies since it was first published by Fremantle Press in 2006 – has been updated with a new cohort of talent and will be available in the baby boxes.
The photographic board book was specially designed to support infant development. Parents will recognise the familiar phrase ‘This is the way the baby…’ while babies are fascinated by the photographs inside.
New brand identity
For 20 years, Better Beginnings has been living up to its name. The program’s books, resources and gift of stories have played a vital role in the lives of infants, toddlers and children as they discover the world around them.
The new logo and branding shows Better Beginnings is a book-based early literacy program with world-building opportunities.
The ‘book by book’ tagline distils the small actions and empowering impact at the core of Better Beginnings. This, along with the program’s key message to read, talk, sing, draw and play with your child every day helps parents incorporate literacy activities into their routine.
Our partners
The program is delivered in the community in partnership with local government and the Department of Health and other key organisations.
With the support of longstanding major partner, Rio Tinto, Better Beginnings has been able to trial program innovations like the Little Fulla Yarns reading packs for Aboriginal families, the Baby Days wordless book and targeted initiatives in regional communities.
Better Beginnings reading packs reach around 100,000 Western Australian families every year.
CEO and State Librarian Catherine Clark said:
“The State Library is delighted to be celebrating 20 years of Better Beginnings, a program built on strong community partnerships and a love of reading.
“We know that reading is vital to brain development, strong emotional bonds and wellbeing. By helping families build these skills in the early years we’re setting them up for success for their whole lives.
“There’s strong research about the benefits of reading for pleasure in the early years and into adulthood, which is why it’s important that every Western Australian family with young children has access to books at home.”
