Events took place in Aberdeen, Merriwa, Murrurundi and Scone, with Cassilis hosting one next week.

Upper Hunter Shire mayor Wayne Bedggood said it was the 16th year libraries around Australia had participated in the campaign, run by the Australian Library and Information Association.

“Its purpose is to promote the value of literacy by encouraging young Australians to read and enjoy books,” he said.

“Each year a children’s book exploring age appropriate themes and addressing key learning areas of the National Curriculum for grades 1 to 6, is chosen to be read at 11am on the last Wednesday in May.

“This year’s book was I Got This Hat by Jol and Kate Temple and illustrated by Jon Foye.”

In Scone, the book was read by Patricia Molyneux and 12 Year 3 students from the Scone Grammar School.

Pupils from Scone Public School, Scone Grammar School, St Mary’s Primary School, Scone and District Pre-School, Yellow Cottage, Upper Hunter Family Day Care and Upper Hunter Early Learning Centre attended the event.

Upper Hunter Shire Council librarian Sharyn Bancroft said the 12 students who helped to read and act out the book each wore a hat that coordinated with a page in the book.

“The students performed dances such as the Mexican hat dance, and highland fling,” she said.

“They also used their voice and body language to indicate the character of the person whom the hat belonged to.”

Students from Aberdeen Pre-School attended the Aberdeen Library event and listened to Andrew Dallah from the Aberdeen Fire Brigade read.

Mr Dallah also kindly brought two different types of fire helmets and explained what they are used for and let the children try them on.

Merriwa Library had the pleasure of hosting the Kindergarten and Year 1 students from Merriwa Central with Mark Shields, the library assistant, reading.

Blandford Public School, Murrurundi Public School School and Murrurundi Pre-School attended the event at the Murrurundi Library.

Glenda Stace, a resident of Murrurundi, read the book to the children present.

She brought along a wonderful assortment of hats from her personal collection.

The children enthusiastically read along with loud voices and shared their knowledge about the various styles of hats featured.

Storytime in Murrurundi was capped off with singing and dancing as the hats were passed around the circles of children, who shared poems, nursery rhymes, songs and dance relating to the hat on their heads.

Cassilis Library will host its event next week, Wednesday, June 1, at 11am to coincide with a visit from Toy Box.

All are welcome to attend.

Cr Bedggood wished to thank those who attended the storytime readings that have occurred and the wonderful support from our schools, pre-schools, learning centres, day cares and community groups.