Literacy

National Simultaneous Storytime 2026: A Celebration of Reading and Teamwork

It’s shaping up to be an exciting year for both reading and sport as Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) has announced the official book for National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) 2026 — Luna Roo: the Kangaroo Baller.

Written by Adam Jackson and Adrian Lloyd, and beautifully illustrated by Jake Minton, this engaging story follows Luna, a determined kangaroo, and her friends as they chase their football dreams across the outback. Filled with action, teamwork and fun, the story inspires young readers to believe in themselves and persevere through challenges.

On Wednesday 27 May 2026 at 12:00 pm AEST, Holy Family children as well as families, teachers and library lovers across Australia came together to read the story at the same time. This shared reading experience celebrates not only storytelling, but also the powerful sense of connection that books can create.

Selected from 84 submissions nationwide, Luna Roo stood out for its strong message. As selection panel member Kellie John explained, the story reflects the determination children show every day when facing nerves, challenges and new experiences. It highlights courage, resilience and the importance of giving things a go — even when they feel tough.

For first-time authors Adam Jackson and Adrian Lloyd, the recognition is especially meaningful. Drawing on over 20 years of experience in Australian football and another 20 years across publishing and media, they created the story to share their love of sport and storytelling with young readers. They hope the book will resonate with families, especially during an exciting year for football in Australia.

Illustrator Jake Minton also shared his excitement, noting that NSS is one of the biggest events in children’s literature and a wonderful opportunity to celebrate visual storytelling with millions of readers.

Now in its 26th year, National Simultaneous Storytime continues to grow as one of Australia’s most significant literacy events. With more than 2.2 million participants across 16,600 locations last year, the event plays a vital role in promoting the joy of reading.

As ALIA CEO Cathie Warburton highlighted, initiatives like NSS are more important than ever. By bringing communities together through books, the event supports literacy development and reminds us all of the simple pleasure of sharing a good story.

At Holy Family, we joined this nationwide celebration and share Luna Roo: the Kangaroo Baller with our students.

With gratitude

Julianne Kelly

Literacy Leader, Learning & Teaching Leader