NATIONAL Simultaneous Storytime was held around Australia at 11am on Wednesday.
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At Bega library the event was attended by a small but eager group of toddlers who relaxed on colourful cushions and (mostly) listened attentively to the book The Brothers Quibble by Aaron Blabey.
Guest reader for this year's National Simultaneous Storytime was Bega Valley Shire councillor Ann Mawhinney.
Before Cr Mawhinney began reading at 11am, children's librarian Anne Moore had also read a number of books to the youngsters.
The session at Bermagui library drew a big response with about 60 participants attending the event, including Years 1 and 2 pupils from Bermagui Public School, children from Bermagui Preschool and a number of other local families.
The digital version of The Brothers Quibble was projected on to a wall, creating a big screen view.
During the session the children played games and learned about meditation as a way of dealing with stress.
Now in its 15th year, National Simultaneous Storytime is an annual campaign organised by the Australian Library and Information Association which aims to encourage more young Australians to read and enjoy books.
A picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, preschools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country.
Judging by their response to the sessions at Bega and Bermagui libraries, the local children obviously enjoyed the interaction between book and reader and showed signs of being avid readers themselves one day, or perhaps even writers of the future.