This summer, I read a book. And honestly? I was ridiculously proud of myself. I couldn’t stop telling people about it, like I’d just completed an ultramarathon or climbed Everest in thongs. But then it hit me—why was this such a big deal? Because here’s the reality: my entire goal for the summer was to read one book. Just one. And it wasn’t some dense literary masterpiece; it was a simple, escapist read. But that’s life these days, isn’t it? A relentless loop of kids, dinner-bath-bed, work, attempting to walk the dog, and collapsing in a heap, hoping for more than five hours of sleep before doing it all over again.
And yet—I used to love reading. Growing up in pre-internet England, books were everything. They were my adventure, my escape, my ticket to another world. I devoured stories like my life depended on it.
So when did that change? When did reading a book become such an achievement that I felt the need to announce it?
We’re constantly told to foster a love of reading in our kids. But let’s be honest: kids won’t become what they don’t see.
My kids used to devour books, too. Now? They’re at an age where downtime means Xbox, group chats, and maintaining their all-important Snapchat streaks. And I get it. But books offer something no app ever will—depth, imagination, the kind of quiet joy that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
I just hope they find their way back to books one day. And that, unlike me, they don’t wait this long.
So, in this issue, we explore how to nurture a love of reading, even in a digital age. We delve into the magic of children’s books and their power to captivate young minds. Because maybe, just maybe, if we show our kids that books are worth celebrating, they’ll believe it, too.
We also have an Extracurricular Special, with a round-up of the Coast’s best after-school activities. And, if you are stuck for something different to do, we snuck down to Northshore Brisbane for a family-friendly weekend. Plus, we have all the regular news, reviews, kids events and more.
So here’s to turning pages instead of scrolling, finding joy in stories, big and small, and remembering that sometimes the best goals are the ones that bring us back to what we’ve loved all along.
With love, Angela xo
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Kids on the Coast (Sunshine Coast) – Autumn 2025
Servicing Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and beyond, Kids on the Coast is an online guide for parents with kids events, attractions & things to do with kids, schools and education, school holiday guides, health & wellbeing for families, parenting and lifestyle news located on Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast & Brisbane, QLD.
