This week felt a little magical in schools around Canberra.
Book Week - with its theme of reading is magic - captured the imagination of students across the nation and across the national capital.
Teachers and students dressed up as their favourite book character and joyfully took part in the traditional Book Week parades.
There were also associated activities for the week, from performing plays to making dioramas to investigating texts to shadow judging the national children's book awards.
But teachers say they are committed to getting kids to read year-round - even in the face of overwhelming competition from screens and gadgets.
Mother Teresa School in Harrison makes sure to "encourage a love of reading" with its students, acting principal Craig Hart said.
"For us, it's really about the kids getting involved in books," he said.
"One of the things we try to do, whether it's independent reading, whether it's shared reading situation, whatever reading they are doing, we really encourage them to have physical books rather than online books or virtual books.
"We believe the actual physical book is still what we what the kids should be utilising. Just promoting that love of reading is the most important thing."
Mr Hart wanted kids to get lost in books.
"I think to actually sit with a book and get caught up in a book, rather than having that constant screen time is beneficial for kids as well," he said.
The school has designated reading times and uses a range of reading, whether in pairs or in the classroom or intervention activities for those struggling.
"They see physical books around the place, in their classrooms, rather than something they have to just go to the library to get," Mr Hart said.
"I think reading those physical books is a skill we still want kids to have," he added.
At St Anthony's Parish Primary School in Wanniassa, principal Erin Marmont watched the school's Book Week parade with pride.
"This makes my heart so happy," she told the children.
Reading was always encouraged at the school.
"Our system goal is that 'every student is a competent reader' and this is something we aim to achieve at St Anthony's," Ms Marmont said.
"The success of our reading program at St Anthony's has been attributed to our Catalyst program, informed by the science of reading and learning.
"Our students' love of reading is supported through our Initalit program, novel studies, daily reading, intervention programs, library lessons and, of course, our wonderful teachers, staff and library which is well resourced.
"Book Week is a wonderful way for our students to connect to literature and celebrate their love of reading."
And with everything from Mr Men to Mary Poppins to Willy Wonka represented in the parade, it was a joyful celebration of reading.
