CITY of Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams, will lead the local contribution to National Simultaneous Storytime on Wednesday, 21 May.
Cr Williams will read “The Truck Cat” between 10.30-11.30am at the Harry Bailey Memorial Library at Yarrila Place, Coffs Harbour.
National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) 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 25th successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy.
This year’s book is by Deborah Frenkel and is a tale of cats, humans, immigration and identity – and homes lost and found.
An avid reader who loves getting lost in a book, Mayor Williams told News Of The Area that she is “so looking forward to reading The Truck Cat to the children”.
With much of her reading these days being Council business papers she said the appeal of fiction is it’s always such a great escape.
“Well away from the delights and the pressures of everyday life in the real world.”
She is looking forward to interacting with her young audience.
“I’m sure the kids will fire a few questions at me about the story.”
Mum to three teenage daughters, Cr Williams read to her girls when they were younger.
“It’s still a fab memory for them.. .their favourite story was ‘Where is The Green Sheep?’.
“My beautiful nan taught me to read when I was just four-years-old.
“When my [older] sister first started school, I used to go to my nan’s and beg her to teach me to read too.
“Reading a book to your child can help to provide that quiet moment to wind down before going to sleep.
“It also boosts that precious special connection between parent and child as both will be very much in the ‘now’ of the moment.”
The venue for this program is the Story Space located on the ground floor of the library.
This is a free event requiring registration through Libraries Coffs Harbour.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
By Andrea FERRARI
