LOCAL families and friends are being encouraged to read to toddlers and pre-schoolers, while making books part of their lives, as part of a new Upper Hunter Shire Libraries initiative, 1000 Books Before School.
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To help parents, older siblings and other carers reach the 1000-book goal, they can pick up a program pack at Upper Hunter Shire Libraries in Aberdeen, Cassilis, Merriwa, Murrurundi and Scone.
Children will receive certificates to celebrate their achievements in reaching milestones of numbers of books read.
The libraries offer weekly storytime activities for bubs, toddlers, pre-schoolers and their carers.
1000 Books Before School was launched by Upper Hunter Shire mayor Wayne Bedggood at National Simultaneous Storytime, at Scone Council Chambers, on Wednesday.
"Being read to as a baby and toddler, and engaging with books before even starting school, has life-long rewards," he said.
"I read my children the books that I loved as a kid.
"We started with the Little Golden Books, Hector the Helicopter, Thomas the Tank Engine and Dr Seuss.
"Then when they were older Treasure Island, Alice in Wonderland, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, all my favourites from when I was a youngster.
"A one thousand-book target may seem like a huge challenge, however it can easily be achieved one book, one day at a time.
"The benefits of reading to young children every day, is backed by overwhelming evidence."
The 1000 Books Before School program was a 2014 initiative of Gunnedah Shire Library and has won many awards, and been successfully adopted in many libraries.
For more information about '1000 Books' contact your local library or visit http://upperhunter.nsw.gov.au/our-facilities/libraries/1000-books-before-school.aspx
