Kids' Own Publishing

Kids’ Own Publishing is a non-profit arts organisation that harnesses the power of self-publishing to build a community of strong and creative young readers and writers.

Established in 2004 by Victoria Ryle, co-founder of Kids’ Own Publishing Partnership in Ireland, Kids’ Own Publishing (Australia) works collaboratively with artists and organisations to facilitate creative book making and publishing experiences for children and communities. Since 2008 Kids’ Own Publishing has delivered over 30 books in partnership with arts, community and educational organisations, including books in community languages.

Providing opportunities to showcase the work of young writers and illustrators, the Kids’ Own Book Cubby is a touring exhibition of over 100 books by children. Kids' Own Publishing teaching artists facilitate creative book making for children from the Kids' Own Book Cubby at arts and cultural events. In April 2011, 200 children created books at the State Library of Victoria during The Wheeler Centre Children’s Book Festival.

In 2010, Kids Own Publishing was awarded funding by the Australia Council for the Arts for a new initiative - wePUBLISH: Books Build Bridges. In partnership with six core partners, wePUBLISH will empower disadvantaged, culturally and linguistically diverse, and Indigenous communities to create and publish their own stories through successful creative cross sector partnerships.

"The Kids’ Own Book workshop takes me back to my own childhood, always itching for any opportunity to create my own illustrated stories within an environment of encouraging guidance, with the added thrill of 'publishing' the result. And that result is so often impressive and surprising - a reminder for kids that you never know what you can do until you get started."
Shaun Tan, Author/Illustrator October 2009