Tasmania will send its popular Little Tasmanian children’s books to all 98 public libraries across Denmark to mark the Danish royal visit.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced the initiative as King Frederik and Queen Mary prepare to visit the state.
“To celebrate the Danish royal visit and our strong friendship with the Kingdom of Denmark, we’re going to be sharing our Little Tasmania books far and wide to 98 libraries in Denmark,” he said.
The Little Tasmanian series tells the stories of inspirational locals who overcame challenges to pursue their passions, with the message ‘someone like you did it and you can do it too’.
The books feature Tasmanians including Aboriginal artist Auntie Vicki-Laine Green, world champion woodchopper David Foster, AFLW player Jemma Blair and Japanese-born sushi chef Masaaki Koyama.
Illustrated by Tasmanian artist Shiloh Longbottom, the series is given free to parents of newborns as part of a state government initiative focused on early childhood literacy and development.
“The Little Tasmania books have been a huge hit here in Tasmania, encouraging parents and carers to read to their little ones,” Rockliff said.
“Now it’s fantastic that we’ll be sharing this opportunity internationally.”
The books to be donated have been translated into Danish.
The premier said Tasmanians would warmly welcome the royals when they arrive this Thursday.
“We’re very excited to have the King and Queen of Denmark right here in Tasmania,” he said.
“I know it’ll be enthusiastically embraced by all Tasmanians, given the very special connection that the King and Queen have with the Tasmanian people.”
Queen Mary, born Mary Donaldson, grew up in Tasmania before meeting then-Crown Prince Frederik at a Sydney bar during the 2000 Olympics.
