Storytime tops for tots

By Jaimee Damon
CHILDREN were treated to a special story time activity at Cranbourne’s Community House on Tuesday last week.
About 19 children attended the National Simultaneous Storytime event held as part of National Numeracy and Literacy week.
Lauren McCarthy from Cranbourne Community House said the children had a ball.
“It was fantastic for the children – they really appreciated something different,” Ms McCarthy said.
Pete the Sheep written by Australian author Jackie French was the book selected this year to be read by a guest reader at libraries across the country at the same time.
The book chosen for National Simultaneous Storytime is always by an Australian author and illustrator and aims to promote literacy to children.
“The purpose of the program is to get kids interested and involved in reading and make it fun for them,” Ms McCarthy said.
Activities co-ordinator at Bunnings Cranbourne Deanne O’Loughlin was the children’s guest reader.
Ms O’Loughlin also planned a craft activity for the children based on the book.
“The activity went really well with the book, the kids made their own Pete the Sheep, lots of cotton wool and ribbons were used,” Ms McCarthy said.
Ms O’Loughlin also donated some Bunnings aprons to Cranbourne Community House for the children to use for the activity. Pete the Sheep has been read to all of Cranbourne Community House’s playgroups with great feedback.
“The Cranbourne Library has also obtained about six copies of the book for families to borrow,” Ms McCarthy said.
National Simultaneous Storytime has been an annual event since 2002 and Ms McCarthy believes it is a great way to promote the library and give Australian authors some recognition.