George the Farmer books up for grabs in Book Week giveaway for early years educators

Seventy-two early learning settings will receive free books as Rabobank and George the Farmer celebrate fourth year of collaboration.

Early learning settings across Australia will soon have new tools to teach children about where their food and fibre comes from, as part of a growing movement to embed sustainability and STEAM education in the early years.

To mark Children’s Book Week, which runs from 16 to 23 August 2025, 72 early learning services and schools will receive a set of 14 George the Farmer picture books, through a national competition supported by Rabobank’s Rabo Community Fund.

Now in its fourth year, the initiative continues to grow in popularity, with early childhood education and care (ECEC) services, preschools and schools encouraged to apply. Since the collaboration began, more than 5,700 George the Farmer books have been distributed to education and care settings across Australia.

Rabobank head of community and client engagement Glenn Wealands said the program was a practical way to support agricultural education in both rural and urban communities.

“George the Farmer’s vision, a world where children are connected to the earth, food and farming, perfectly aligns with our mission of strengthening urban rural connections,” Mr Wealands said.

The books introduce foundational concepts about farming and sustainability in a way that resonates with young children. According to Mr Wealands, they also help encourage children to consider future careers in agriculture.

“Every year, we are inundated with entries from early learning centres, schools and community groups. It’s inspiring to see the appetite among educators to spark curiosity about food systems in the early years,” he said.

The program aligns strongly with Outcome 2 of the Early Years Learning Framework, supporting children to become connected with and contribute to their world. Educators can use the books to prompt conversations about sustainability, food production and rural life in accessible and age-appropriate ways.

George the Farmer co-founder Simone Kain said the brand started as an interactive story app in 2015, and has since grown into a multifaceted educational platform that includes music, virtual reality, live performances and YouTube content.

Available on both YouTube and ABC iView, George the Farmer resources are free and curriculum aligned, with a focus on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths) learning.

“To date, more than 660,000 children aged four to 10 have accessed our resources, covering everything from wheat and wool to farm safety and chickpeas,” Ms Kain said.

A 2024 survey of George the Farmer users found that 100 per cent of respondents believed the platform helped children develop a love of learning, while 98 per cent said it boosted their knowledge about food and fibre production.

The George the Farmer team, based in regional South Australia, receives hundreds of photos each year from children dressed as George and Ruby Farmer for Book Week parades.

“The feedback we receive each year shows us that children, families and educators are engaging deeply with the stories and resources,” Ms Kain said. “Our hope is that through these experiences, children develop not only agricultural literacy but also a sense of connection to the land and where their food comes from.”

Competition details

The competition is open from Monday 12 May to Sunday 15 June 2025. Winners will be announced prior to Children’s Book Week to ensure books arrive in time for celebrations.

More information and the entry form can be found on the Rabobank website. Full terms and conditions are also available on the competition page.