Member for Brindabella, Nicole Lawder, joined the children at Holy Family Primary School in Gowrie today, for fun morning reading activities. The highlight was being part of the annual National Simultaneous Storytime organised by the Australian Library and Information Association.

Ms Lawder said “Every year, a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country.”

“Last year 686,324 participants at over 6,129 locations read the same book at the same time. Hopefully this record will be broken in 2018” said Ms Lawder.

This year at exactly 11am on Wednesday 23 May Australian readers shared Hickory Dickory Dash written by Tony Wilson and illustrated by Laura Wood.

“It is a fun event with a serious side. It aims to promote the value of reading and literacy” said Ms Lawder.

It also promotes the value and fun of books, promotes an Australian writer and publisher and promotes storytime activities in public libraries and communities around the country.

One of the objectives of the program is to provide opportunities to involve parents and grandparents to participate in and enjoy the occasion.

“As a Grandmother who loves reading to my grandchildren, I love the opportunity to read aloud to young people” said Ms Lawder.

Media Contact Deborah Seccombe

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