About Us

In 2003, The Big Book Club Inc.was established in South Australia as a not for profit arts organisation committed to the promotion of reading, literature and Australian authors and illustrators.

The Big Book Club Inc. manages two major projects:

The Big Book Club (TBBC) for adults
The Little Big Book Club (LBBC) for parents of children aged between 0 - 5 years

The Big Book Club Inc. links with other major organisations to connect readers no matter their age or where they live.

Not an earth shattering new concept - book clubs had existed for years. But there are elements that make The Big Book Club unique.

Since its inception, The Big Book Club Inc. has become a leading national organisation. It has received triennial funding from the Australia Council for the Arts and is now considered one of its key initiatives.

Both projects have established a strong national presence and brand, with funding from individual state governments and key stakeholders including selected News Limited newspapers i.e. The Advertiser, The Sunday Times, The Courier-Mail and The Daily Telegraph. As part of the partnership with these newspapers, each has been granted the naming rights to both programs in their respective states.

LBBC has established its national brand through major projects such as: The Vegemite Little Aussie Reader and It's Rhyme Time DVD & Booklet. Between these two projects alone, LBBC has directly reached over 600,000 families.

In 2009, LBBC will launch three new national initiatives: It's a b c Time, It's Bedtime and the New Arrivals Family Reading Pack program (reaching every new refugee and migrant family with young children that enters Australia). The development of these programs has occurred with the support of the early childhood sector.

Since 2003, TBBC has toured over 200 authors across the country, covering metropolitan, regional and remote communities. In a recently conducted independent national review, it was revealed that key stakeholders and the general public overwhelmingly support and value the contribution TBBC has made to the literary landscape of Australia.

The Big Book Club Inc. is directed by a Board of high-profile members.

AIMS

• To encourage reading throughout Australia.
• To establish a forum for active literary debate and provide support for Australian authors.
• To not only increase reading and literature awareness, but also promote collaboration between publishers, retailers, media and arts organisations, booksellers and public libraries.
• To provide easy access to each book selection, both through public libraries and bookstores.
• To ensure each book selection represents an exciting and interesting mix of genres, styles and themes from local, national and international authors.
• To encourage readers to form their own book club, or participate online.
• To encourage readers to come together at events, held in both metropolitan and regional areas with the author of each selection as the guest speaker.
• To encourage younger readers, particularly 15-18 years, through author visits to schools.
• To encourage readers to step outside of their comfort zone and try other styles and genres.
• To support, encourage and impart knowledge to parents and carers on the importance of reading to children from an early age.

The Big Book Club Inc. has developed strong business and community partnerships with the media, in both states, public libraries, publishers and booksellers.

These partnerships have received state and national acknowledgement:

Winner: Australian Business and Arts Foundation Australia Council Media Arts Award (2003)
State Winner: Prime Minister's Community and Business Partnership (2005)

TBBC and LBBC monthly selections are featured in bookstores and public libraries in the chosen state/s, therefore making the club accessible to a wide range of Australian readers.

The Big Book Club Inc. has grown substantially over the last six years, which is reflected in the high regard the organisation is held in within the book industry, its target markets and the early childhood sector. The organisation is now approached as an industry leader to be on national advisory groups and boards, including the recently formed Australian Children Literature Alliance which is looking to appoint the first Australian Children's Laureate.