This year for National Simultaneous Storytime they will be reading “Hickory Dickory Dash” by Tony Wilson and Laura Wood, a playful spin on the classic nursery rhyme Hickory Dickory Dock.

Readers of all ages are invited to Bendigo, Castlemaine, Gisborne, Kangaroo Flat, Kyneton and Woodend libraries, who will be taking part from 11-11.15am, as well as Boort, Elmore and Inglewood library agencies. 

If you can’t make it to a sesssion – but want to take part in the fun – log on to Story Box Library on the Goldfields Libraries eLibrary.

From there Central Victorians will be able to read along with actor, singer and Playschool legend Jay Laga’aia.

The public can also turn up to Kerang Christian College, where Gannawarra Library Services library programs officer, Pia Frisby will be participating as the clock strikes 11am.

Kerang Primary School will also hold a public event outside the Gannawarra council chambers in Victoria Street between 10.50am - 11.10am, with participants encouraged to wear their pyjamas.

The picture book will be read by more than 600,000 children in 5,000 locations across Australia and New Zealand simultaneously, in settings such as libraries, schools, kindergartens, childcare centres, bookshops and homes. 

Now in it’s 18^th year,  National Simultaneous Storytime is an initiative of the Australian Library and Information Association and aims to promote the value of reading and literacy among children.

Last year “The Cow Tripped over the Moon”, was read by author Tony Wilson and streamed live over Facebook, as over 680,000 readers in more than 6000 event locations across the country read along. 

Access Story Box Library at www.ncgrl.vic.gov.au/elibrarykids