This May 22, get involved in National Simultaneous Storytime and share the joys and benefits of reading with others across Australia.

National Simultaneous Storytime is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country.

National Simultaneous Storytime 2024 will take place on Wednesday 22 May at 12pm AEST.

This year’s selected picture book is Bowerbird Blues by Aura Parker. Bowerbird Blues is a moving story of longing and connection, that unfolds as the bowerbird’s search for blue things sends him soaring across the sea, sky and city.

Now in its 24th successful year, National Simultaneous Storytime is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children’s book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.

Want to participate? Register your interest here. Registered participants have access to a range of resources including videos, audio recordings and a PDF copy of the book. Participants will receive an email by 5pm Monday 20 May 2024 with the links to access these resources and you are able to access and use all of them for the entire week of NSS.

You can also find teaching notes, colouring in activities and other resources via ALIA’s website.