At 11am across Australia and New Zealand, Alpacas with Maracas - written and illustrated by Matt Cosgrove - was read throughout libraries and participating communities.

There was a large crowd at Dubbo library to hear the funny story. Soumiya and Aathana Prakash were among the eager people wanting to know what happened to the alpacas at their talent show.

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The book was also read at that same time at Dubbo's Charles Sturt University campus to children from Playmates Cottage.

CSU executive director of library services Karen Johnson said as well as being a fun and vibrant event it addressed key learning areas of the National Curriculum Foundation.

The day aims to celebrate reading, while encouraging literacy and celebrating Australian authors.

In 2018 there were more than one million people involved in National Simultaneous Storytime at more than 8,000 locations.