In libraries all across the nation, at least 1 million children sat down at 11am on Wednesday to hear the intriguing tale of Macca and his pal Al in a huge talent contest.

In Tamworth, storyteller Cathy Hanly helped turn the page on the city's low literacy rates.

It was part of National Simultaneous Storytime, a campaign to try to get more kids to sit and enjoy a good book.

Tasked with the reading on Wednesday was South Tamworth Library assistant Cathy Hanly, who had well and truly impressed four-year-old Addison Dalton.

"I love the library," she said.

"My favourite thing is craft."

Alpacas with Maracas by Matt Cosgrove was the chosen book in an annual campaign that promotes the value of literacy and reading.

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It's a story that's read all over Australia, Ms Hanly said.

"So today's the day," she said.

"it's the same book read throughout Australia basically at the same time, I guess it's just to encourage childhood literacy too, more than anything."

In it's 19th year, the event highlights an Australian author and illustrator.

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