Voices under the Sun 陽光下的聲音

The 2026 Children’s Book Week takes place from Saturday 22 to Friday 28 August.

This year’s theme is “Symphony of Stories”, which explores “how books blend words, images and emotions like a musical performance, with characters bursting out of books playing instruments” as described by the Children’s Book Council of Australia.

To help celebrate the annual event, the Dandenong Ranges Literary Festival is joining forces with Your Library Ltd to bring popular Melbourne author George Ivanoff to Belgrave Library at 4-5pm on Wednesday 26 August.

Throughout his successful career, Ivanoff has created more than 100 books for kids and teens, including but not limited to the interactive You Choose series, the OTHER WORLDS series, the Gamers trilogy, and the non-fiction Survival Guides.

His RFDS Adventures series is produced in partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Set in remote parts of Australia, the books feature thrilling outback survival and medical rescue stories while raising awareness and funds for the iconic aeromedical organisation.

At the “Choose Your Own Stories” event, Ivanoff will guide participants aged 8-12 through his creative process. Drawing inspiration from the You Choose books, the author will help these budding creators design their own interactive adventures while probing how choices can impact characters and plots.

Meanwhile, this reviewer would recommend a book and relevant resources for families to enjoy.

If you like Chinese Australian author Li Cunxin’s autobiographical memoir Mao’s Last Dancer (2003) and/or its 2009 film adaptation of the same name, then why not explore his 2007 book The Peasant Prince, which is specifically written for children?

Illustrated by multi-award-winning artist Anne Spudvilas, the book tells the true story of a Chinese peasant boy who dreams of escaping poverty and embracing the big, wide world. In simple yet charming language, the author introduces his childhood, his beloved family, his training and career as a ballet dancer, and those special, heart-warming moments in his life.

Readers can start with Reading Australia, which provides multiple resources for teachers, parents and guardians to help kids understand this inspirational story. From there, please check out the audio edition produced by the Australian Children’s Laureate Foundation.

Narrated by long-time professional broadcaster and voice-over artist Paul English, the audiobook is scored with superb music from the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra’s 2009 stage production of The Peasant Prince. This is a truly excellent listening experience.

Finally, Li himself recently did an online reading of the book, which can be viewed via YouTube. The author is humble and sincere, and the story is particularly moving as conveyed in his voice, which, though somewhat imperfect, is full of genuine emotions. Via the professionally produced video, readers also get to admire the book’s wonderful, atmospheric illustrations. Highly recommended.