Edward the emu promotes reading

National Simultaneous Storytime, Thursday 2:00pm (AEST)

Popular Australian storybook, Edward the emu is the focus for the National simultaneous storytime being held as part of Library and Information Week 2001.

Children from around the country will gather at their local public and school libraries to hear the ever-popular tale of Edward the emu who is bored with the zoo. Written by Sheena Knowles and illustrated by Financial Review cartoonist Rod Clement, this charming book is a favourite with young children.

The event is sponsored by Dymocks Booksellers, HarperCollins Publishers and Books Alive!

Storytime is one of the most popular activities conducted by public libraries and aims to encourage reading by introducing children to the magic of books. Adults will be encouraged to read to their children and share the joy of reading.

Early exposure to books and reading is essential in the development of literacy. While pre-school and early-primary students enjoy reading, and being read to, research conducted by the Australian Centre for Youth Literature (Young Australian's Reading; from keen to reluctant readers, A national research report on the reading experience of 10-18 year olds, April 2001, published by the State library of Victoria) indicates that more work needs to be done to promote reading as an activity enjoyable to older children.

For information about the National Simultaneous Storytime contact Amanda Jacobsen from the ALIA National Office. Phone 02 6215 8222, fax 02 6282 2249, or e-mail enquiry@@alia.org.au.nospam. For information on Young Australian's Reading, contact Agnes Nieuwenhuizen, manager of the Australian Centre for Youth Literature, State Library of Victoria, phone 03 9669 9796, or e-mail acyl@slv.vic.gov.au.nospam [drop the .nospam if e-mailing...]

back

A a