Russ the Story Bus
Russ the Story Bus
02
Oct
05
Oct
Past Event

Russ the Story Bus

When
10.30am - 2.30pm
Thu 2 Oct - Sun 5 Oct
Where

Pier Street Underpass, Darling Harbour

Get directions
Price

FREE

Map, showing Russ the Story Bus

Don't miss out on this magical celebration of books and storytelling.

Hop aboard Russ the Story Bus, the traveling library from the Sydney Writers' Festival! This isn't just any bus—it's covered in vibrant illustrations and filled with books waiting for you to borrow.

Step inside this welcoming space where kids can cosy up with a book or join special storytime sessions featuring authors and illustrators who bring stories to life.

Things to note
  • Drop-in anytime
  • Suitable for all ages
See what else is happening these Spring School Holidays.

About Russ the Bus
Nine years ago, Sydney Writers’ Festival transformed an ordinary bus into Russ the Story Bus: a bright and colourful creative space full of bookshelves stocked with books and comfy benches for kids to read. Each year, Russ the Story Bus visits over 10,000 children in Western Sydney and regional NSW to support children at the very beginning of their reading journey and spark a lifetime love of storytelling, reading and creativity.

 

Schedule

Thursday 2 October
  • 10.30am-12.30pm - Russ open for visiting
  • 10.50am-11.20am - Ashleigh Barton (storytelling)
  • 11.45am-12.15pm - Nisaluk Chantanakom (storytelling)
Friday 3 October
  • 10.30am-12.30pm - Russ open for visiting
  • 10.50am-11.20am - Ashleigh Barton (storytelling)
  • 11.45am-12.15pm - Charmaine Ledden-Lewis (storytelling)
Saturday 4 October
  • 10.30am-2.30pm - Russ open for visiting
  • 10.50am-11.20am - Matt Cosgrove (storytelling)
  • 11.45am-12.15pm - Mick Elliott (storytelling)
Sunday 5 October
  • 10.30am-2.30pm - Russ open for visiting
  • 10.50am-11.20am - Mick Elliott (storytelling)
  • 11.45am-12.15pm - Kristin Darrell (storytelling)

Presenters

Nat Amoore (host)
Nat Amoore is the bestselling author of Secrets Of A Schoolyard Millionaire, Australia’s #1 debut children’s fiction in 2019. Her award-winning and CBCA Notable books include The Power Of Positive Pranking, The Right Way To Rock and We Run Tomorrow.
 
Ashleigh Barton
Ashleigh Barton is a Sydney-based bestselling children’s author. A former publishing professional, she now writes picture books and junior fiction including Freddie Spector, Fact Collector and What Do You Call Your Grandma?, a 2022 CBCA Book of the Year finalist.
Nisaluk Chantanakom
From Thailand to New York City, Nisaluk Chantanakom now calls Sydney’s Inner West home, living with her family and mischievous collie, Indiana Bones. A Fine Arts graduate turned illustrator and educator, her books include A Teaspoon of Light (CBCA-shortlisted) and A Lemon for Safiya.
Charmaine Ledden-Lewis
Charmaine Ledden-Lewis, a proud Bundjalung woman and award-winning illustrator based in the Blue Mountains, shares culture through vibrant visual storytelling. She has illustrated acclaimed books including Bruce Pascoe’s Found and Cathy Freeman’s Born to Run, with more titles forthcoming.
 
Matt Cosgrove
Matt Cosgrove, Western Sydney-born author and illustrator, is best known for his bestselling Macca the Alpaca and Dharma the Llama series. With over 1.5 million books sold, his hilarious Worst Week Ever series (with Eva Amores) is going global.
Mick Elliott
Mick Elliott is an author, illustrator, screenwriter and TV producer behind award-winning picture books Dads & Dogs, Mums & Mogs and Grandmas in Grand Cars. He’s created acclaimed kids’ shows for major networks, with a new graphic novel series arriving in 2026.
Kristin Darell
Kristin Darell, a Sydney-based children’s author of nine books including Taronga Presents and Football Fever, is Program Manager for The Australian Children’s Laureate Foundation. A former journalist, she now champions children’s literature, inspiring young readers in schools and libraries.