CHILDREN, librarians, students and teachers across the Redlands were among more than a million people who read the same book at the same time during National Simultaneous Storytime on Wednesday morning.
The annual event - held by the Australian Library and Information Association - sees a picture book by an Australian author and illustrator read simultaneously in libraries, schools, childcare centres, bookstores and other places around the country.
It comes during Library and Information Week, which runs until May 26.
At 11am, students and children in schools and libraries across the Redlands sat down to read Matt Cosgrove's Alpacas with Maracas.
The book follows the adventures of alpacas Macca and Al as they work on their act for a talent contest.
At Sheldon College, students dropped into the Junior Learning Centre in the days leading up to National Simultaneous Storytime to take part in book-themed activities including mask-making.
Junior Learning Centre manager Karen Bishop said National Simultaneous Storytime was an opportunity for staff and students to celebrate the love of books and reading.
"Students are invited to participate in a range of activities such as making bookmarks and masks," she said.
"Tomorrow we are forming the JLC band whereby the children bring along a musical instrument that they have made, such as maracas, and they can shimmy and sing to the music, just like the alpacas in the story."
Students from Prep to Year 2 at Ormiston College got into the spirit of National Simultaneous Storytime by creating puppets, maracas and face masks.
An Ormiston College spokesperson said students' enthusiasm for the creative projects showed that alpaca fever had swept the school.
"Reading events...are great ways to generate excitement around books and reading, to encourage a lifetime passion in our young readers," the spokesperson said.
The digital floor at the school's Centre for Learning and Innovation also showed motifs related to Alpacas with Maracas.
Readings were also held at Cleveland, Capalaba and Victoria Point libraries.