The great book swap, where classmates raise funds by trading their favourite books, is part of an Indigenous Literacy Project aimed at improving literacy levels among Aboriginal children.

Project founder Suzy Wilson said most people took reading for granted.

"Imagine not being able to read a street sign, a food label, or a newspaper. It seems unimaginable but for many people in our community, particularly those in our most remote indigenous communities, this is reality."

Ms Wilson said that by age 12, about 85per cent of indigenous children in remote and isolated areas were unable to read at the minimum level.

Under the project, more than 35,000 books were supplied to 200 remote communities in the past year.

Details: www.indigenousliteracy

project. org.au