At 11 am, on May 24, 2017, in 31 Neighbourhood Houses across Tasmania parents and children will gather to read together the same book at the same time. They will join nearly 600,000 children around Australia will read The Cow Tripped Over The Moon. Written by Australian author Tony Wilson, and illustrated by Laura Wood, it’s a hilarious story with messages about perseverance, friendship, and support. The story is a retake on the old nursery rhyme, The cow jumped over the moon.

In addition Neighbourhood Houses Tasmania, together with our supporters; independent Tasmanian book stores Fullers Bookshop, and The Hobart Bookshop, are giving a high quality, age-appropriate book to each child who attends a Neighbourhood House National Simultaneous Storytime event.

This event continues to grow across Tasmania. In 2016 we gave away over 730 books with 26 Neighbourhood Houses participating. This year we are giving away 1008 books (weighing 346kg in total according to Australia Post!) through 31 Neighbourhood Houses. Children will be reading in Houses in Zeehan, Deloraine, Georgetown, St Helens, Geeveston, Bridgewater, Derwent Valley, Dowsing Point, Rokeby, Dunalley, Fingal, Chigwell, Beaconsfield, Gagebrook, Mowbray, Rocherlea, Dodges Ferry, Maranoa Heights, Scottsdale, Karadi Aboriginal Corporation, East Devonport, Burnie, Goodwood, West Moonah, Midway Point, King Island, Ravenswood, Ulverstone, Woodbridge, Clarendon Vale, Nubeena!

The National Simultaneous Storytime is an annual campaign that encourages parents to read to their children, as well as for children to read and enjoy books. Each year a picture book written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in Neighbourhood Houses, libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country.

“Tasmanian Neighbourhood Houses have again embraced this year’s National Simultaneous Storytime event. It is wonderful to see the support that parents are giving to this year’s event. Reading to a young child helps build bonds between parent and child, increases the child’s vocabulary, and is a great start in readying children for lifelong learning. Being given a free book is the icing on the cake for the children who participate.”, commented John Hooper, Executive officer of Neighbourhood Houses Tasmania.

The network of 35 Neighbourhood Houses across Tasmania gratefully acknowledges the funding from the Tasmanian Community Fund which supports the Everyday Literacy Project.
Neighbourhood Houses Tasmania