PJ Andrews reads Freya Galati’s award-winning book in Crocosaurus Cove Cage of Death
An NT librarian risked his life to read a local novel to a crocodile. Find out why he took the plunge.
Northern Territory
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PJ Andrews has braved the Crocosaurus Cove Cage of Death with a local book in his hand and a question in mind: ‘What do crocodiles really think?’.
The NT librarian’s courageous act was to remind children and adults of the importance and delights of reading in the lead up to Australian Reading Hour.
The initiative is a celebration of literature, inviting anyone and everyone to pick up a book an hour on Thursday.
Mr Andrews chose young Territorian author Freya Galati’s award-winning book, ‘What do crocodiles really think?’.
The novel took out the Young Territory Authors Award for the Darwin region in 2019.
Now 12 years old, the avid writer has a passion for the written word and won the Young Territory Authors Award for a young adult short story last year.
“I’ve been going to the library for as long as I can remember,” Freya said.
“I have my head in a book so often that Mum had to ban me from reading at the kitchen table, which I still consider cruel and unusual punishment.”
Library and Archives NT director Patrick Gregory said including a croc in the campaign imagery was a fun and striking idea to remind people of the importance and joys of reading.
“Books retain a remarkable power to educate, to inspire and to show us different worlds,” Mr Gregory said.
“The benefits of reading are enormous, whether for learning or for wellbeing, but at the end of the day there aren’t many better things than burying your nose in a good book.”
Darwin City Libraries is hosting a free event for Australian Reading Hour at Karama Library on Thursday, March 9 at 10am.
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Originally published as PJ Andrews reads Freya Galati’s award-winning book in Crocosaurus Cove Cage of Death
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