Children across Australia will all be enthralled in the same book at exactly the same time on Wednesday.
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Youngsters will converge on their local libraries and gather in classrooms, preschools and at home to listen to the story Hickory Dickory Dash.
The title has been chosen as this year’s National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) book, an annual event where a chosen picture book is read at the same time across the country.
More than 680,000 readers in more than 600 locations across the country will read along. For the first time this year, New Zealand will join in and the two nations will read the book simultaneously.
Written by Tony Wilson and illustrated by Laura Wood, Hickory Dickory Dash is a tale of love, determination, courage and togetherness.
It tells the story of a mother mouse who must search the house for her two sons before the clock strikes one and the sneaky cat pounces.
Warrnambool library officer Julie Struth said the library would again participate in the popular simultaneous session and it was a chance for grandparents, parents and children to enjoy the book together.
“It’s a great way of promoting reading and literacy for children,” Ms Struth said. “NSS promotes Australian writers and illustrators and the value of books and enjoying them.”
Families are invited to participate in the 11am session where Hickory Dickory Dash and other stories will be read. Participants will also sing a song and a complete an activity.