Students about to start prep at government schools across Victoria will receive a free bundle of books and resources to help kick-start their education..
The books and resources are included in prep bags that the state government is distributing to some of the 52,400 children about to start at government primary, P-12, specialist and language schools.
The 2026 prep bags feature five free books selected by a panel of experts to spark a lifelong love of reading and lift every student’s literacy and learning outcomes.
Each prep student will receive: Chooks in Dinner Suits, written by Diane Jackson Hill and illustrated by Craig Smith; Frank’s Red Hat, written and illustrated by Sean E Avery; Sharing, written by Aunty Fay Muir and Sue Lawson and illustrated by Leanne Mulgo Watson; The Bin Monster, written and illustrated by Annabelle Hale and The Concrete Garden, written and illustrated by Bob Graham.
Inside their bags, preps students will also find a free holder for the new youth myki card, as well as a free jigsaw puzzle and an inclusive education poster with a colouring activity and activities from AFL Schools and Cricket Victoria.
“We know parents are doing it tough – that’s why we’re making sure no young Victorian misses out on accessing high-quality books to kick-start their love of reading,” Education Minister Ben Carroll said in launching the prep bags on Wednesday 21 January.
“By giving preps free books and activities to support them as they start their school journey, we’re delivering practical cost-of-living relief that helps families from day one of school.”
