Thank you Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal for a grant to commence the rollout of Books for Bedtime in regional and rural South Australia, following a successful pilot in Victoria funded by the Readings Foundation.

We received many anecdotal stories that emerged from COVID lockdowns about increased stress on families which lead to a decline in family routines, bedtime reading, access to children’s books and devices replacing books.
This project will give parents the knowledge and resources they need to help reinstitute reading together at home or strengthen their existing practices.
It will deliver professional learning to early childhood educators about the importance of reading, starting book libraries in services, a starter kit containing information for families, flyers, and other promotional material to help parents understand the importance of reading to their child from birth every day.

Our Patron, Her Excellency Mrs Hurley, invited us to Admiralty House yesterday to celebrate 100+ PTTR communities established across Australia, in every State – from remote Aboriginal to multicultural urban.

Families, mascots, supporters joined their Excellencies for a morning of fun!

PTTR’s ‘Advent Calendar’ this year comes with a twist. On our facebook page, we’re following our 25 years, beginning with 1998.

It’s not too late to follow with us. Today we are showcasing 2009, so here’s a hint of what you’ll be finding.

Last week we were thrilled to join the South Australia Catholic Education SPICE program for the launch of their PTTR initiative – Paint Playgroups REaD, under the leadership of Emily Bowden.

All South Australia Catholic Education supported playgroups now have a Book Swap box for families to take books home, and the facilitators have received training in the power and importance of early brain development.

Paint the Lands REaD, Black and Yellow at Mimili

In November 2022, young children from across the Anangu Lands in South Australia – also known as the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands (APY Lands) – gathered together at Mimili to celebrate their year of daily reading, singing and dancing as part of “Paint the Lands REaD, Black and Yellow”. Mimili is the 100th PTTR community.

What a celebration that is for PTTR and what a wonderful way to end the year!

Watch some of the celebrations at Mimili here!

Today Paint Penrith REaD launched a new book for babies: Rooby’s Counting Book. The event, like so many PTTR events across Australia, epitomised everything that is important about PTTR.

• A collaborative partnership — between Mission Australia, Penrith City Council, a local business Featherdale Wildlife Park, and a local graphic designer, to name just a few.
• Senior managers committed to supporting grass roots workers and volunteers getting the message about REaD from Birth out into the community.
• Whole families invited. All activities reading, singing, drawing, looking at animals, focused around children.
• Children loving their PTTR mascot — Rooby Roo — and knowing what Rooby loves to do best of all — reading.
• Sustainability: being there for the long haul. In Penrith’s case, now over 10 years.
• A clear message: ‘Spread the word. Reading is important from Day 1!’

Rooby Roo has a special message for children who read and sing everyday. Well done! You are growing your brain. A big thank you to all family members who make time to read and sing with little ones. You are making a big difference in their lives.

From Noongar lands to Dharawal sands

From Dharumbal seas to a Palawa breeze

We Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders this NAIDOC Week – and always.