Each year the Leeton library takes part in national simultaneous storytime and 2017 was no different.

It was a packed house at the library on Wednesday morning when the event was held. 

This year’s book that was read in libraries throughout the country at the same time of 11am was The Cow Tripped Over the Moon by Tony Wilson and Laura Wood. 

Councillor Tracey Morris was the “guest reader” and had the children enthralled on the tale that was unfolding. 

Last year over 520,000 children at over 3500 locations across Australia took part, with 2017’s numbers still rolling in. 

Leeton Shire Council’s manager library, culture and community Penny Davies said the event also highlighted the importance of reading and its place in today’s fast-paced world. 

“National Simultaneous Storytime is a wonderful opportunity to shine the spotlight on the importance and value of reading with children,” she said.

“It also shows that reading to children can be fun and can happen in all sorts of different ways in all sorts of different places.

“Story telling doesn’t have to be from a book.

“You can tell stories to your children looking at family photographs or driving along the road.

“Whether the stories are serious and true or fantastic and make believe or a little bit of everything all mixed together it really doesn’t matter.

“Children just love stories.”

Ms Davies said introducing children to books and reading at the earliest possible age was important as it sowed the seeds for building literacy skills and a life of reading for pleasure and information. The library has been playing a part in that process for many countless years and that hasn’t changed. 

“(We are) committed to supporting the literacy development of our young people through programs like storytime, baby book start and National Simultaneous Storytime,” Ms Davies said.

“We hold a wonderful and exciting collection of picture books and other resources which can be borrowed. If your children aren’t yet members of the library sign them up, start borrowing and enjoy the pleasure and wonder ... of a book.”