Bob graham author and illustrator lesson

A presenter sits in a studio before a screen. On it is the title 'Children's Classics'.

PRESENTER:

Tucked away within the University of Canberra is a treasure trove of children's classics.

The archive opened in 1980 and has amassed one of Australia's biggest collections of children's literature.

Bob graham author and illustrator lesson plans

Now the books are being dusted off and displayed at libraries across Australia… across Canberra. As Jessica Nairn reports.

Shots of many racks of books in a large room.

JESSICA NAIRN:

Lining the shelves of this archive are children's books, thousands of them.

A woman is interviewed at a bustling exhibition.

Text on screen — 'Belle Alderman. Lu Rees Archives Director.'

BELLE ALDERMAN:

It now has 22,000 Australian children's books, with 2,600 of those in 53 different languages. It also has artworks and manuscripts and dummies.

JESSICA NAIRN:

Now the archive is opening its vaults and providing a glimpse of the painstaking work th