Central Coast Council Libraries are calling on parents and carers of young children to ‘Find yourself in a library’, which is the theme for this year’s Library and Information Week 2018.

To coincide with this national event, Libraries and Council’s Childcare Centres will be launching Parker the Platypus’ eagerly awaited second book, ‘Parker visits the Library’, as part of the Paint the Central Coast REaD initiative.

Acting Unit Manager Libraries, Beth Burgess, explained the program was aimed at educating parents, carers, and the community about the importance of reading, singing and rhyming with children every day from birth.

“Literacy is a key success in life and research has shown that more than 20 per cent of Australian children arrive at school without the skills necessary to make the most of their early education,” Mrs Burgess said.

“Through this program we aim to overcome this by creating a sense of excitement and enthusiasm around literacy and reading, which is exactly what Parker creates for children and families.

“In this next instalment from Parker we follow him as he discovers all the fantastic services there are to enjoy through your local library.

“‘Parker visits the Library’ is not only a fun and engaging story for children, it also promotes the great resources and programs available to help encourage literacy development and make reading fun.

“Over the next few weeks Parker will be visiting Council childcare centres and select Storytime sessions at our libraries to personally hand out copies of his new book.

“If you cannot make it don’t fear - free copies of his book will be given to children at all Babytime, Toddlertime and Storytime sessions this week.”

Details on Parker’s appearances and more information on this initiative can be found at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/paintthecoastread

Another key event Council Libraries are partaking in this week is the 18^th annual National Simultaneous Storytime, which aims to promote the value of reading and literacy from a young age.

This year the Australian children’s book ‘Hickory Dickory Dash’ written by Tony Wilson and illustrated by Laura Wood has been selected to be read across the country tomorrow, Wednesday 23 May.

Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan, said event is a valuable opportunity for parents, grandparents, teachers and carers to become actively involved in their children’s learning.

“Reading to children from a young age is incredibly important as it helps build the foundation to prepare them for a lifetime of learning,” Ms Vaughan said.

“There are clear benefits when young children are read to frequently – children read to six or seven days a week start Kindergarten almost a year ahead of children who are not read to as often.

“It also helps develop numeracy and communication skills, rational thinking and enhances concentration and discipline, all of which helps children excel at school and later in life.

“If you cannot make it along on Wednesday 23 May, ‘Hickory Dickory Dash’ will be read at all of our libraries regular Storytime sessions, which include songs and crafts to motivate involvement and help children see reading as a fun pastime to be enjoyed.”

Visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/libraries for details on National Simultaneous Storytime and regular Storytime sessions.