As a former early childhood educator I appreciate and understand the value of reading to developing children’s language skills, comprehension and imagination. I read to my own children – now young adults – when they were younger and I encourage reading at every opportunity.

It was a pleasure to join Julie Collins MP and read to children today at Maranoa Heights Community Centre. Next Wednesday is National Simultaneous Storytime 2017, hosted by the Australian Library and Information Association, where the same Australian storybook will be read at the same time to thousands of children across the country.

This year’s book is The Cow Tripped Over the Moon by Tony Wilson illustrated by Laura Wood