Storyteller Megan Lloyd took children on imaginative journeys to far away lands, at the launch of the reading promotion ‘Read Around The World’.

Pupils from three primary schools were invited into their local libraries to take part in the launch on World Book Day. At Pontypridd Library, pupils from Coed y Lan Primary and Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Evan James enjoyed stories from many countries, from storyteller Megan.

Later that day, she visited Porth Library where pupils from Porth Junior School watched as she recited and danced the story of Ganesha, the elephant-headed god

‘Read Around the World’ encourages children to visit their local library and go on a ‘reading journey’. Posters of six different places are displayed in each of the authority’s libraries and each time a child borrows a book, they move on to another country.

Starting at the historic bridge at Pontypridd, the journey passes through France, Egypt, the South Pole and Australia before ending at the Statue of Liberty in the USA. Throughout the journey children can pick up quizzes, puzzles, colouring sheets, etc, linked with the country they are ‘visiting’.

Children taking part will be asked to write a short review of the books they have read. At the end of the reading promotion these titles will be compiled into a booklist entitled Around the World in Eighty Books. The names of all children who have completed the reading journey will be entered into a prize draw.

The Read Around the World reading promotion and all World Book Day events on March 4, 2010, were funded by the Welsh Books Council.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Recreation, Cllr Robert Bevan, said: “This scheme is a great way to get children interested in books and learning more about countries around the world. It is another example of the many excellent services provided by our libraries in Rhondda Cynon Taf.”

· Membership of all Rhondda Cynon Taf's libraries is free and everyone living or working within the county borough is welcome to join. For more information on Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Library Service log on to www.rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk/libraries.