A NUMBER of local children embraced their inner diva recently when they took part in National Simultaneous Storytime Day.
The Australian book Whitney and Britney Chicken Divas, written by Lucinda Gifford, was enjoyed by children nationwide on Wednesday, May 27, at 11am.
The story follows two chickens, Whitney and Britney, who sleep all day and become divas at a local jazz club at night.
Waikerie Children’s Centre’s Gilda Carter said the children enjoyed this year’s chosen book.
“At 11am the whole centre came together and listened in,” she said.
“We chose to listen in on YouTube because the children could watch it being read in Auslan – Australian sign language, which is a language we try to promote at the centre.”
Mrs Carter said the children did activities related to the story in the lead-up to the event.
“We had a lot of crafty activities for children prior to reading the story and they loved it,” she said.
“They made chicken divas out of card, did some colouring in and created their own tiaras that they wore during story time.
“We also got the children up for a little chicken diva dance.”
Mrs Carter said the children enjoyed every aspect of the storyline.
“The children loved how the chickens slept all day and partied all night, loved how they sang, loved how their eggs were blue and pink and loved their owner, Dora,” she said.
“Dora was a favourite because the children loved it when she found out who her chickens really were.”
Mrs Carter said reading books is part of the centre’s literacy program.
“We try to read the children as many books as possible to help engage them with learning,” she said.
“Reading plays an important role in a child’s development and we try to do as much of it as possible at the Waikerie Children’s Centre.”