Explore the 2026 Program
Explore
Russ the Story Bus
A magical celebration of books and storytelling
Each year, Russ the Story Bus visits over 12,000 children in Western Sydney and regional NSW. Russ the Story Bus has been visiting schools since 2014.
As part of a Russ the Story Bus visit, students can:
talk to the visiting children’s book author or illustrator
discuss their favourite books with Festival staff and volunteers
choose a brand-new book to take home and keep forever from the shelves inside Russ.
Students will also enjoy taking part in an interactive talk presented by a children’s book author or illustrator. The speaker will share their love of books, discuss their craft, answer questions and inspire children to think creatively about reading, writing and storytelling.
A visit from Russ the Story Bus is free for schools and is suitable for primary school children. Up to 250 children are able to take part in a Russ the Story Bus visit, which includes two 45-minute presentations and ample time to visit Russ the Story Bus to browse and select a book to keep. Sydney Writers’ Festival is able to offer some flexibility in the schedule for each school visit, as we understand that school timetables are not the same everywhere.
Russ will be travelling throughout Greater Western Sydney in Term 4, 2026. Expressions of interests for the 2026 tour are now open until Friday 3 July 2026. Please use the online EOI form.
Some history about Russ the Story Bus
Russ the Story Bus has inspired a lifelong love of reading amongst students from disadvantaged schools since 2014. The program has reached a total of 100,000 students, with classroom learning packs extending the impact of each visit. While our tours have predominately taken place in Western Sydney, we have expanded to include the Northern Rivers region as the devastation of the 2022 flooding resulted in many school libraries losing 80% or more of their collections due to water damage.
Over the past 12 months Russ has achieved the below results:
Over 12,500 students saw an inspiring author talk and had their choice of book to take home (for many this is the first book they own).
Over 50 low socio-economic schools were visited.
Over 15,000 books were given away as well as complete signed sets of each author's books to every school and classroom-based educational packs for teachers.
Over 20% of participating students identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
Over 93 % of students spoke a language other than English at home (increased from 45% in 2024)
If you would like to help us keep Russ the Story Bus on the road for another 10 years please donate below. Your contribution, no matter the amount, will make a powerful impact and allow us to continue to share the magic of Russ the Story Bus with the children and schools who need him most.
What teachers say...
“Each student gained a rich learning experience and created a happy memory.”
“The joy of the children’s faces when they realised they actually were getting to keep the books was priceless.”
“We try every day to instil in our kids a genuine love of reading … so to be supported by you in that endeavour is so lovely.”
Russ the Story Bus would not be possible without the vital support we receive from donors to our Education Program. If you would like to learn more about supporting the Festival, visit our Support page.
Russ the Story Bus is supported by
