Rocketship Booklactica is the theme chosen by the committee this year to coincide with the International Year of Astronomy.

Rumour has it that even the Purple People Eaters will come down to earth for the Reading Day.

Cooke Park will again be the main venue for the official programme that will commence at 10.30am but not before students from all schools will parade down the footpaths of Clarinda Street in their colourful `out of space costumes.’

Galileo (alias John Sarkissian) will be this year’s special guest. Galileo will deliver the official address and then assist the Reading Bug peer at the moon through a giant telescope to find out what book even The Man In The Moon might be reading.

Birth to Kindergarten coordinator Rhonda Brain said Wednesday’s format would be a little different to that of previous years.

“Students from pre-school age to Year 6 will be entertained at various locations around the CBD such as the function room at G Hunter and Co, the plaza area between Coles and Target, Parkes Shire Library, both the Services Club and Leagues Club as well as around the statue of Sir Henry Parkes,” Rhonda said.

Wednesday’s promotion again promises to be another colourful chapter in the history of the Parkes Reading Day promotion.

Birth to Kindergarten, also known as Paint the Town Read, was launched in August 1996 with the first reading day held in 1997.

Guests over the years have included Governor General Sir William and Lady Deane, NSW Governor Marie Bashir and husband Sir Nicholas Shehadie, famous children’s author Mem Fox, NSW State MP Linda Burney and Gillian Calvert (Commissioner of Children and Young People).

So impressed with the Birth to Kindergarten reading promotion, which has seen the format implemented throughout Australia that NSW Governor Her Excellency Marie Bashir didn’t hesitate in taking on the role of patron.