Australian and overseas children's books published during the last hundred years or so are the main focus of this collection. The major collecting emphasis is on Australian material, particularly titles published in Victoria.

Collection scope includes picture books, fiction, graphic novels, poetry, songs, folktales, traditional stories and award-winning books, for a readership ranging from the very young to young adults. Nonfiction is primarily collected on a legal deposit basis.

Rather than reflecting popular reading, international children's books are selected to record important changes in the global children’s book environment and to counterpoint the trends in Australian children’s book publishing.

This collection was established by Margaret Ingham in 1976. It is supported by the latest reference resources located in the Redmond Barry Reading Room, online databases and print and electronic journals.