The Origin of PageTurners

What do you get when three adult literacy tutors face the same problem?
The solution.

Almost 20 years ago, Prace tutors Anne Dunn, Chris Malakar, and Moira Hanrahan faced a challenge: finding engaging reading materials suitable for adult literacy students. In response, they launched PageTurners, a best-selling series designed specifically for adult learners.

Anne’s journey started in her classroom, where she hand-made books using photos her students brought in or found online. Together, Anne and the students created stories that reflected their own lives. One early story by a student named Stephanie about her baby nephew, became an instant hit. “I made copies and put them in the book basket. Students were taking them home and not bringing them back. So I made another batch. Same thing. It was a bestseller,” Anne recalls. This got Anne to thinking about how she could get more engaging English language material for her class — produce it themselves! Together with Chris and Moira, they began to create the first PageTurners books.

But when did they realise they had a winner? Anne remembers a moment in class when she introduced a newly printed book called I Want a Holiday. Graham, an older student, picked it up and read it aloud. “The whole class went quiet,” Anne says. When he finished, everyone clapped, and Graham proudly exclaimed, “That’s the first book I’ve ever read!” That moment cemented the impact of PageTurners—giving adult learners the chance to experience the joy of reading their first book.

Recognising the growing popularity of the books, Prace’s Education & Business Operations Manager, Libby Barker, took notice. She suggested they make the books available to other adult literacy services. With Anne and Chris as writers and their fellow tutor and friend Moira Hanrahan as the illustrator, the PageTurners series was born. All three are experienced educators who have worked in high schools, community schools, language centres, TAFE, and community education centres. Their writing adventure began at Prace, where they were all working as tutors.

The mission behind PageTurners was clear: “We wanted to provide books for beginner adult readers with stories that reflected their lives,” Anne says. Recognising that there is no “typical” adult literacy student, the founders wrote stories that would appeal to a broad range of people looking to improve their reading and writing.

To cater to different skill levels, each series of 10 books is divided into four levels of difficulty, from 100-word Level 1 stories to up to 600 words at Level 4. Each book also includes a full vocabulary list and comprehension exercises, giving learners the tools to strengthen their reading skills and fully understand the stories.

Today, PageTurners continues to fulfil its mission of making reading enjoyable and accessible, providing adult literacy students with stories that resonate and inspire confidence.

Check out the PageTurners Bookshop here.