National Simultaneous Storytime wants ewe!

The Australian Library and Information Association, host of the annual National Simultaneous Storytime, encourages all libraries, schools, pre-schools, child care centers and bookstores around Australia to join in and not to be sheepish for the simultaneous read of Pete the Sheep at 11:00am on Wednesday 27 May 2009.

This year's book is Pete the Sheep written by celebrated author, Jackie French, illustrated by Bruce Whatley and published by HarperCollins Publishers Australia. The story is about Shaun, a shearer, who doesn't have a sheepdog to help him - he has a sheep sheep, Pete!

Sue Hutley, Executive Director of the Australian Library and Information Association, says that National Simultaneous Storytime is a fun way to encourage children to participate in storytime activities across Australia.

"I always look forward to National Simultaneous Storytime as it highlights the importance of reading and literacy, and encourages a love of books in young Australians. Each year we see an increasing number of locations participate and with the support of the Copyright Agency Limited (CAL)'s Cultural Fund, we will hopefully see many more children involved in National Simultaneous Storytime this year."

It is anticipated that over 110,000 children will participate in National Simultaneous Storytime this year at over 800 different locations across Australia.

The event also focuses attention on Australian books, authors and illustrators. Jackie French is delighted that her book, Pete the Sheep, has been chosen as the National Simultaneous Storytime storybook, "Just think, hundreds of thousands of people all over Australia are going to be saying 'Baa! Baa!'"

Participating libraries will also have themed activities available for them to access online, which will this year include two illustrations drawn especially for National Simultaneous Storytime by Pete the Sheep illustrator Bruce Whatley.

ENDS

INFORMATION FOR EDITORS:

Pete the Sheep
Written by: Jackie French
Illustrated by: Bruce Whatley
Published by: HarperCollins Publishers Australia

For information and liaison for photo opportunities at other locations around Australia for National Simultaneous Storytime, phone Kamara Schlegel at ALIA on (02) 6215 8214.

For address information on participating libraries in your area, go to http://www.alia.org.au/advocacy/storytime/2009/participants.html

For further information:

Sue Hutley, Australian Library and Information Association, 0412 764 922
Emmeline Goodchild, HarperCollins Publishers Australia, 02 9952 5459
Zoe Rodriguez, Copyright Agency Limited, 02 9394 7558

Issued on behalf of:
Australian Library and Information Association
ALIA House, 9-11 Napier Close, Deakin ACT 2604
The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) is the professional association for the Australian library and information services sector. It seeks to empower the profession in the development, promotion and delivery of quality library and information services to the nation, through leadership, advocacy and mutual support. ALIA represents the interest of 6,000 members, the profession and Australia's 12 million library users. http://www.alia.org.au

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