The interactive resource is designed to help and encourage parents to read aloud to their children from infancy. The Alice Springs Public Library hopes Alice Springs families will make sure they take the time to come in and collect this free and useful resource.

“Some of the things parents will find in the free Vegemite Little Aussie Reader Scrapbook include tips on reading aloud to children, age appropriate book lists to help parents select books, sections to record family memories and words and actions to nursery rhymes, clapping and action songs,” said Mayor Fran Kilgariff.

The initiative is being supported by 1700 public libraries across Australia, and over 360,000 scrap books have been distributed nationally. Participating libraries and child care centres will also receive other resources on topics including language development, reading aloud, suggested activities based on books as well as additional online information each month.

“We all have our favourite memories of being read to as a child and as a parent myself, we in turn want our own children to have these tender, loving memories as they grow up. We hope that the resources we’re providing for parents will foster a lifelong love of books and reading for their children and help Aussie kids grow up to be happy little Vegemites,” siad Vegemite Corporate Affairs Manager Simon Talbot.

The development of the Vegemite Little Aussie Reader program has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia for the Arts, as well as being enthusiastically supported by the Northern Territory Public Library and the Public Libraries networks.

For further information contact:

The Little Book Club National Project Manager Fiona Lange (08)82119558 or 0402000471

Mayor Fran Kilgariff (08) 8950 0525 or 0419 376 060

ASTC Chief Executive Officer Rex Mooney (08) 8950 0525 or 0427161956

ASTC Media and Communication Officer Fionn Muster (08) 8950 0546 or 0417884449