Why picture books still matter — and where to find us at ACA QLD 2026

If you're heading to the Australian Childcare Alliance Queensland conference in Brisbane this June, we'd love to see you. Super Cheap Books will be at Booth 99 — and we're bringing a selection of packs we think are worth your attention.

But before we get to that, we want to talk about something that comes up in almost every conversation we have with early childhood educators right now: the cost of running a quality program in a climate where everything keeps getting more expensive.

The pressure on early childhood budgets is real

Educators and centre directors are being asked to do more with less. Staffing costs, compliance requirements, facility expenses — the list of budget pressures is long, and it doesn't show any signs of shortening. When it comes to discretionary spending on resources like books, many centres are making hard choices.

We understand that. And it's part of why we've worked hard to keep our prices where they are.

Earlier this year we came across one of our catalogues from 2008. Back then, a 10-book collection was $40. Today our packs are $30–$33. Around $3 per book — in some cases less than we charged nearly two decades ago, at a time when almost everything else costs more.

We're not the only option for early childhood books. But we are one of the few that has held this price point for this long, while continuing to source from leading Australian and international publishers.

Why picture books matter more than ever in early childhood settings

There is strong and consistent evidence that access to books in the early years — particularly books children can take home and return to — is one of the most significant contributors to literacy development. Children who grow up surrounded by books, who hear stories read aloud regularly, and who develop their own relationship with books as objects worth caring for, build a foundation that supports learning across every area of the curriculum.

Picture books do something that worksheets and screens can't. They slow things down. They invite children to look closely, to ask questions, to sit with an idea. A well-chosen picture book opens up conversations about feelings, relationships, the natural world, and the kind of person a child is becoming, all within a few minutes of shared reading time.

For early childhood educators working within the Early Years Learning Framework, quality picture books aren't a nice-to-have. They're a practical tool for supporting every EYLF outcome — from building a child's sense of identity and belonging, to developing communication skills, to nurturing curiosity about the world.

What we're bringing to ACA QLD 2026

At Booth 99 you'll find a selection of our current packs, including some that are new to our range this year. A few worth knowing about before you visit:

It's More Fun With Maisy — Lucy Cousins' beloved first-experience series. Ten books following Maisy through the dentist, the hospital, a sleepover and more. Ideal for settling conversations and book corners. Ages 2–5. $30.

Human Kind: A Little Good in a Big World — Ten books on values: Kindness, Resilience, Patience, Honesty and more. Each opens up a natural conversation about character. A genuinely useful set for prep rooms and kindy. Ages 4–7. $30.

Crocs, Socks, Sloths and Bees Etc — A playful mix of funny and warm. Strong read-aloud titles that will make the room laugh. Ages 3–5. $33.

All packs are aligned to EYLF outcomes and curated from leading publishers. We'll have the full range available to browse, and we're happy to talk through what might work best for your setting.

Come and say hello

The Australian Childcare Alliance Queensland Conference runs from 26–28 June 2026 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. We'll be at Booth 99 throughout the conference.

If you'd prefer to browse before you arrive, the full range is at scb.com.au. Free shipping on orders over $250. Flat-rate $14.95 for all other orders.

We hope to see you there.