More than 80 First Nations primary school students flocked to Sydney's Taronga Zoo on Tuesday as the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) launched its 2026 Great Book Swap, which aims to raise $250,000 to deliver 25,000 books to First Nations children in remote communities.

The Great Book Swap is a national fundraising initiative which invites schools, universities and organisations throughout Australia to swap a book and make a donation to the ILF. Through these donations, the ILF provides culturally relevant books for children in over 500 remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities across the country.

The campaign officially opened on Cammeraigal Country with the flight of two native Red-tailed Black Cockatoos, Wattle and Monotoco - an homage to Girrganyi (Brown Falcon) in Winthali: Fire.

Also at the launch were ILF Lifetime Ambassador Andy Griffiths, Bunuba Leader and storyteller Joe Ross, and his children, Remi and Boheme Ross.

Proud Widjabul Wia-bal woman and ILF's program manager, Zoe Cassim, said the campaign encourages people across the country to connect through storytelling while supporting a meaningful cause.

"We're asking schools, communities and businesses to swap a book, connect, and have a yarn over our favourite characters, stories and plot lines," she told National Indigenous Times.

"The Great Book Swap is one of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation's main fundraising campaigns. Essentially, it's asking people to bring their favourite book and talk with people to swap it for gold coin donation to help us raise our goal of $250,000.

"This would mean 25,000 books in the hands of remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids, families and young people from around remote communities across the country."

Renowned author of the popular children's book series 'The Treehouse' and ILF Lifetime ambassador, Andy Griffiths, commended the program for supporting children to access more opportunities through literacy.

"The Great Book Swap is so important for kids because books are essential to not only developing literacy, but growing their imaginations, so that they can not only enjoy their life now, but also imagine an amazing future for themselves," Mr Griffiths told National Indigenous Times.

Serving as an ILF ambassador since 2008 and newly appointed Australian Children's Laureate for 2026-27, Mr Griffiths has dedicated his life to advancing children's literacy.

"I've wanted to support ILF for this length of time because I believe every child has the right to books. They need books in order to develop their literacy so that they have more possibilities and choice in their lives," he said.

As Tuesday's program took off, Mr Griffiths expressed the importance of reading for children.

"I hope the students today take away a book, first of all, and that that book is the doorway into a lifetime's love of reading," he said.

"Books and reading is so important for young people because they give them the keys to Literacy. And with literacy, you have the ability to find out anything you need, go anywhere you need in life, and to have the pure enjoyment of the story as well."

Also joining the program was Bunuba leader and storyteller Joe Ross, who travelled nearly 4,000 kilometres from his home in Fitzroy Crossing to share his book 'Winthali: Fire' with students.

Winthali: Fire is a traditional Bunaba story belonging to the Danggu people of the Fitzroy Valley which features Girrganyi (Brown Falcon) in Bunuba language. Illustrated by Mr Ross' two children, Remi and Boheme, with English text written by Stacey Bush, the book tells the story of Greedy Old Man Crocodile (Lallanggarra), Brown Falcon (Girrganyi) and the Bunuba peoples.

Sharing the story with the students was "really special," Mr Ross said, explaining the book began as a way to teach his own children their language and culture.

"There are less than 50 Elders who speak Bunuba now, and it's important to keep our Language, Culture and Stories alive for the next generation," Mr Ross said.

"We're also planning to do some other books, and to make sure a lot of our stories keep going and they're documented. Also, for young children around Australia to be able to learn about our story from Danguu people and Fitzroy Crossing."

Reflecting on the event, Mr Ross said he hoped students would leave with a deeper understanding of First Nations cultures.

"I hope they take appreciation of Aboriginal culture and respect for Aboriginal people and the diversity of Aboriginal people around Australia," he told National Indigenous Times.

Registrations for the Great Book Swap are now open.

More information about the Indigenous Literacy Foundation is available online.