LIBRARIES and schools throughout the Western Plains joined hundreds of thousands of others across the country in cracking open the same book at the same time this week.

Wednesday 25 May at 11am marked the 2022 National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) initiative which is run by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA).

"Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country," an ALIA spokesperson said.

"Now in its 22nd successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6."

(insert banner here)

The book read for NSS changes every year, with interested publishers encouraged to send in possible titles which are then narrowed down by ALIA.

The spokesperson said there is a range of criteria that comes to choosing the right book for NSS.

"(The criteria includes) a positive storyline, appeal to a modern and diverse audience, suitability for read-aloud (language and length), and how well the book lends itself to craft and other activities," they said.

"This year, 'Family Tree', written by Josh Pyke and beautifully illustrated by Ronojoy Ghosh met all of the criteria and it is a heartfelt celebration of family, community and the seasons of life to cherish and share."

With registration to take part in NSS open to anyone, including locations overseas, libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country participate.

According to the ALIA spokesperson, in NSW 15,627 locations and 725,417 registrants all took part this year.

This included schools and Shire libraries located around the Western Plains.

In Coonamble, 14 children from a local childcare centre went to the library while St Brigids Primary had their kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 students listen in and then make their own family trees to present to each other.

ABOVE: Students from St Brigids Primary School in Coonamble did an activity designing their own family trees after the reading was done. Image courtesy of Drew Inman, St Brigids Public School

In the Lachlan shire, a total of 51 people (43 children and eight adults) gathered at the Condobolin Library for NSS, including students from two preschools and members of the public.

The Coonabarabran Library also had a solid turnout with 35 children and carers showing up to listen to the reading.

The Warren Shire Library was going to host an official event with about 95 children scheduled to attend, however due to the prevalence of COVID-19 in the community, decided they didn't want to risk causing a potential 'super-spreader' event.

Despite this, staff already had special activity bags prepared and delivered them to all the schools, pre-schools and day cares so the children could still get involved.

There were also some locations where attendance wasn't as high. In Narromine library, only three children turned up to listen, however staff assumed this was because it didn't line up with their popular 'rhyme time' activity on Fridays.