Russ the Story Bus

A magical celebration of books and storytelling 

Each year, Russ the Story Bus visits over 8,000 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, 2024. Expressions of interests for the 2024 tour have now closed. 

For information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Some history about Russ the Story Bus

Ten 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. He was also covered in colourful picture book illustrations.

Russ was created to support children at the very beginning of their reading journey and spark a lifetime love of storytelling, reading and creativity. We hope that a visit from Russ the Story Bus – which includes an author or illustrator talk and a book for each student to take home and keep (for free!) – helps foster that lifelong connection with books that begins in childhood.