Join us for the official launch of the Juvenilia exhibition with curator and internationally award-winning author Aimee Chan at the State Library of Western Australia.

Juvenilia is work produced by an author or artist while they were a child.

This very special exhibition showcases the juvenilia of Australia’s kids’ authors and illustrators like Australian Children’s Laureate Andy Griffiths, Graeme Base, Alison Lester, Ursual Dubosarsky and more.

Everyone starts somewhere. Whether it is handwriting stories on scrap paper or drawing pictures in pencil and then rubbing them out, today’s most prominent creators of children’s books all started as children too, dreaming about being able to publish their own story.

This unique and intimate collection is an insight into the early writing and drawing of some of the most established authors and illustrators in Australia. And, after three years of touring the eastern side of Australia, Juvenilia is finally coming to WA as part of the Awesome Festival 2026!

At the launch you will have the opportunity to meet author Aimee Chan, who gathered all the pieces for this display, and hear her talk about what this collection represents about the importance of early childhood storytelling.

PRESENTED BY: Aimee Chan

ARTISTS AND CREATORS:

Aimee Chan

MAIN VENUE: State Library of WA

ROOM: Story Place

AGES: All ages

TICKETS:  Free

DURATION: Open all day

BOOK NOW: https://barkinggecko.com.au/awesome-festival/perth/2026-juvenilia

Calling all 8–12-year-olds! Join world-renowned children’s book author James Foley for a playful, hands-on workshop at the State Library of WA. Through games, movement, and making, you’ll explore what creativity means to you, share what your day at the festival has been like, and help imagine what a Children’s Advisory Council could look and feel like. No sitting still filling in surveys just fun, active ways to have your say and be heard.

PRESENTED BY: Barking Gecko Arts & James Foley

MAIN VENUE: State Library of WA

ROOM: Education Room

AGES: 8 -12 years

TICKETS: Free

DURATION: 60 mins