A special storytime, with a book read by an astronaut currently living on the International Space Station, was held for children at Macquarie Regional Library on Wednesday.
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National Simultaneous Storytime is an annual event held by the Australian Library and Information Association.
Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools and childcare centres country-wide.
This year astronaut Dr Shannon Walker was selected to read Give Me Some Space by children's author Philip Bunting from the International Space Station.
Dr Walker is an American physicist who was selected by NASA as an astronaut in 2004.
Macquarie Regional Library Dubbo Branch coordinator Suzie Samson said she was particularly excited for this year's National Simultaneous Storytime.
I think the message that comes through, especially at the end of the book, is that we need to look after the earth and our spaceship, because earth is our spaceship
- Suzie Samson
"I think the message that comes through, especially at the end of the book, is that we need to look after the earth and our spaceship because earth is our spaceship," Miss Samson said.
"It's our home here in space and I think that message comes through and introducing the character Una was a great way to share it especially [for the] birth to primary aged groups.
"They've done a really great job.
"When I first heard, I was excited.
"Number one, Philip Bunting is such a great children's author and the theme of space is such a fun one.
"Who doesn't want to explore space?
"Who doesn't want to go into a rocket and explore other planets and see the moon up close, all that great stuff?
"Philip Bunting has also done a great job in introducing some great facts about space along with some really cool illustrations. He's such a talented author and illustrator."
The story was delivered simultaneously through video recording which was projected onto the big screen.
Give Me Some Space is published by Scholastic Australia and will be available for those wanting to loan the book out at Macquarie Regional Library branches as of next week.
Those interested in listening to the storytime by Dr Walker can access the video on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP0PokLCQNQ.
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