With this fact in mind it was decided 2012 would be the National Year of Reading across Australia.

This year is a valuable time to promote the importance of developing reading skills within the community and celebrate the pleasure and success attained through reading.

Teaching to read, teaching about reading and teaching the value of reading is a core business at any NSW public school, including Junee Public School (JPS).

The growth and quality of reading abilities of JPS students can be accredited to a wide range of programs and initiatives.

Being the year of focus on reading, some of these will be shared with the community in a regular column written by school staff over the next few weeks.

As professional educators, JPS teaching staff see the importance of influencing the community beyond the classroom door and school gate.

They would like to think this year’s national focus on reading may influence readers of the Southern Cross to take a more proactive approach in being a positive role model by reading to younger community members.

There is no better time to see the books shortlisted for book of the year honours as nominated by the Children’s Book Council of Australia.

These books are always on top of the shopping list of school and town librarians and make fantastic birthday gifts.

The winners this year will be announced on Friday, August 17.

For more information on this year’s shortlist, visit http://cbca.org.au/index.htm