Children’s Book Week

Book Week writing prompts

Stories and arguments about books and reading.

4 free promptsYears 3–9Printable PDFs

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Plan ahead: 21–27 August 2027. 297 days to go.

The 4 prompts in this pack

The prompts

Turn a celebration of reading into a fresh page of student writing.

01 Narrative Years 3–9

A staircase appears outside your window. At the top is a library in the clouds, and a book on the doorstep has your name on it.

Think about

Support: Describe the library aloud, then plan a beginning, a problem and an ending.
Extend: Let one detail from the opening take on a different meaning at the end.

02 Narrative Years 3–9

You close your book, but one of its characters is still beside you. They need your help before anyone notices they are missing.

Think about

Support: Choose one character and one place. Rehearse what the character says first.
Extend: Show how the visitor and the narrator change each other’s minds.

03 Persuasive Years 3–9

Should every school have a library? Write to persuade a school leader of your view.

Think about

Support: Discuss one reason for each view, then choose your position and explain an example.
Extend: Respond fairly to a concern a school leader might raise.

04 Persuasive Years 3–9

Should students always choose the books they read at school? Write to persuade your teacher of your view.

Think about

Support: Compare a book you chose with one someone recommended. Explain what each offered.
Extend: Define what “always” means in your argument and address a reasonable exception.

Original Writing Boost resources, created independently of the event organisers. Print and share with your class.

Build an imaginative setting or develop a convincing argument about reading.

A lesson for any of the prompts, a step at a time.

Begin with a book

Share a short passage from a book your class knows. Discuss one choice the author makes: a surprising detail, a strong opening or a change in pace.
Make it their own

Choose a prompt above. Invite students to invent their own characters and setting, or take a position they can explain. Give them time to talk and plan before drafting.
Share the craft

Ask students to read one sentence to a partner and explain its effect. Let them revise that sentence before sharing their finished work.

After they write

Each student gets feedback on their draft, and you see patterns across the class.

Feedback they can act on NAPLAN criterion scores come with advice about the piece: what is working and a clear next step.
Revise the next draft Feedback stays beside the writing. Students revisit a passage and compare versions.
Plan the next lesson See patterns across your class and group students with a shared need for focused teaching.