Children had lots of fun at the Cowra Library today with 77 preschool “puppies” coming along for National Smultaneous Storytime. The puppies were all wagging their tails as Daryl, guest reader and Sophie, dressed up puppy-like for the day, read and acted their way into everyone's hearts (pictured). Sophie acted out the book “My Dog” by Jonathan Allen. The book “Yip! Snap! Yap! by Charles Fuge was also a hit with the younger ones. Daryl, Sophie and Carol all read to three groups of Preschoolers spread across different sections of the library. Daryl then weaved his magic by making balloon dogs for the children as well as showing the children(oops! I mean young puppies) how to sit and fetch. There was a lot of laughter by youngsters and adults as Sophie and Daryl created a lot of fun with songs and wordplay. There was a real buzz in the Library and even resident Library dog Pat (pictured) enjoyed all the visiting young “puppies”, overseeing all the activities – he even had a go at jumping over children. Mostly he was there to be patted and he enjoyed the nation wide reading of a delightful dog story.

The best comment on the day was ” mummy I think it would be a good idea if our family got a red convertible like Smudges”. And the best blooper was courtesy of an unnamed reader who called the white dog “Stinky”. It made the kids giggle- a lot. “Little White Dogs Can't Jump” is a super picture book especially the page where Smudge had been catapulted into the front of the car !! – the picture says it all.

Melissa Stanford, Orange City Council Children's Services Coordinator, had children singing about puppy dogs and wagging their tails (pictured) as part of National Simultaneous Storytime at Orange City Library. About 100 children and parents and carers including Supported Playgroup Project – Bush Babies, Calare Playgroup and Glenroi Grasshoppers came along and joined in the fun and reading of Little White Dogs Can't Jump followed by a delicious morning tea(cupcakes pictured).

Today's National Simultaneous Storytime and at 11am children (and adults) around the nation will be hearing the story of Little White Dogs Can't Jump (by Bruce Whatley and Rosie Smith) where Smudge and his family have got a problem to solve – Smudge's legs are so short that he can't jump into the car! One of the children in the family devises a series of ingenious ways of getting Smudge into the car, but none of them work. Finally, it is Mum who solves the problem. National Simultaneous Storytime is a campaign organised by the Australian Library and Information Association, in which a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously to children in a variety of venues around Australia. This campaign promotes the value of books and encourages young people to read, share books and become involved in other fun and engaging literary based activities.

Orange City Library is fast becoming an information paradise with skilled knowledgeable staff, access to specialist books, Australian Bureau of Statistics publications, local studies and history collection, law library, audio and DVD resources, book discussion groups, Central West Writers' Centre and popular web blogs. This year's theme is “Access All Areas” and aims to show you the variety of ways the library is a point of access – as assignment help for students, a meeting place for family history buffs and storytimes for young children and their parents and carers and more. It aims to celebrate libraries as the place to access, communicate, connect, educate, entertain and inform. So come on in.
And during May we want to hear what you have been reading – write a review and add it to our Library Catalogue. We'll pick out some of our favourites to add to this blog. So give it a go – it will help others choose their next read.

Happy reading and see you in the Library!

Join us for a special evening with cleaning guru Shannon Lush who has written Stainless with Trent Hayes. Shannon will be talking all things cleaning at Orange City Library on Thursday 27 May at 5.30pm for a 6pm start. Shannon's new book Stainless is all about how to diagnose and treat stains safely and effectively. It shows you how to identify the surface that's been stained, decide what solvents are appropriate, know what method to use, and also give advice on what to do if you've got it wrong. The book details the essential items in your cleaning kit – all available cheaply from the supermarket — and lots of tried-and-true formulas for treating stains. Shannon Lush is a fine arts restorer with a passion for handy household hints. The massive success of Spotless, Speedcleaning and How to be Comfy has made her a publishing phenomenon. This visit to Orange is supported by Angus & Robertson Bookstore.