By Danielle Kutchel
Imagine having an astronaut read a story to you!
That’s exactly what happened on Wednesday 19 May for National Simultaneous Storytime, when kids at Bunjil Place Library joined with millions of people right across the country in listening to a real-life spaceman read a story.
Philip Bunting zoomed in to libraries around Australia from the International Space Station and read ‘Give Me Some Space’ to scores of delighted bookworms.
National Simultaneous Storytime is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA).
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.
Now in its 21st successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that 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 Foundation to Year 6.
CEO of Casey Cardinia Libraries, Chris Buckingham, said National Simultaneous Storytime celebrates reading and encourages people to “pick up a book and share it with others”.
“This year’s event really was one out of the box, how cool was it to have a storytime read from space?” he said.
“Casey Cardinia Libraries were delighted to have been part of a national initiative that had millions of Australians reading right across the country.”
Star News Group photographer GARY SISSONS dropped in to find out more…
