Celebrate National Simultaneous Storytime in the Gannawarra

Published on 05 May 2021

Children across the Gannawarra will mark National Simultaneous Storytime on Wednesday, 19 May, joining in with festivities occurring throughout Australia and on the International Space Station.

The annual Australian Library and Information Association event aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for primary school-aged children.

“Gannawarra Shire Council is proud to support National Simultaneous Storytime and is looking forward to marking this milestone in-person after the COVID-19 pandemic halted plans to hold festivities at our Library branches in 2020,” Gannawarra Shire Council Chief Executive Officer, Tom O’Reilly said.

This year’s celebrations will see families, kindergarten educators and school teachers gather at 11am AEST on 19 May to read Philip Bunting’s book, Give Me Some Space!, which tells the story of a woman who dreams of a life in space.

“Children at the Gannawarra Shire Children’s Centre, as well as those attending the Cohuna, Koondrook and Leitchville Kindergartens on the day, will gather to hear the story read by our dedicated staff,” Mr O’Reilly said.

In a special initiative by the Australian Library and Information Association, the Australian Space Agency and the Office of the Chief Scientist, astronaut Dr Shannon Walker will join in the celebrations, reading Give Me Some Space! from the International Space Station on the day. Families and schools wanting to view this live broadcast can do so by visiting www.storytimefromspace.com at 11am on 19 May.

For more information about National Simultaneous Storytime and to register to host an event, please visit www.alia.org.au/nss