An Alpaca called Macca had more than 1.1 million children in schools and libraries across Australia enthralled last month as they joined in National Simultaneous Storytime. 

At more than 11,000 locations, including Catholic Education Western Australia schools, children enjoyed the tale of Macca and his best pal Al entering a talent contest and ultimately giving a performance to remember. 

Written and illustrated by Matt Cosgrove, Alpacas with Maraccas was read at 11am on Wednesday 22 May for the annual event organised by the Australian Library and Information Association. 

Mandurah Catholic College’s Year 1 and 2 students had a special guest reader, Mandurah Mayor Rhys Williams. 

When he arrived, Mayor Williams asked which of the students liked reading books and they all catapulted their hands into the air immediately.  

The children enjoyed helping the Mayor tell the story and relished the opportunity make the maraca shaking noise.  

Students were invited back to the Library at lunch time to complete activities related to the story, including making and decorating some maracas they could then take home. 

College Head of Learning Area Information Services, and Western Australian Teacher Librarian of the Year, Sarah Love invited the Mayor to participate as he is a big supporter of reading and had recently started the Mayor’s Reading Challenge.  

At St Lawrence’s School Bluff Point Librarian Michelle Agi read the story to Year 1 students with a couple of Year 6 students acting out parts of the story. 

While at Our Lady of Good Counsel School in Karrinyup after listening to the story, the children discussed the main themes in the text including friendship, resilience and persistence.  

“The moral of the story is even if you do not win, you can still have fun,” Year 2 student Finn said.  

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