The Guyra Library was full of excited children on Wednesday May 23 as they prepared to take part in National Simultaneous Storytime, when more than 900,000 children across Australia and New Zealand all read the same picture book together.
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The event, organised by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), has run since 2000 to promote the value of reading and literacy, the importance of Australia’s book industry, and the role of libraries.
More than 130 school children and preschoolers gathered around the story chair to listen to this year’s selected book, “Hickory Dickory Dash”, written by Tony Wilson and illustrated by Laura Wood. Librarian Aimee Hutton coordinated the event.
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Former Guyra Central School principal Jo Burgess was the guest reader, and delighted her audience with her reading of the tale of persistence and bravery.
Mrs Burgess said that she was delighted to take part, and enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with many of her former students.
Armidale Regional Council mayor Simon Murray also popped in, and was introduced to the children as the ‘boss of Guyra and Armidale’. He was given the task, along with Mrs Burgess, of judging the finger puppets each of the children had prepared.
Classroom teacher Emma Lindeman accompanied the students from Black Mountain Public School.
She said that the children all enjoyed listening to the story, watching the pictures on the big screen, and showing Cr Murray their finger puppets.
