Literacy

ALIA National Simultaneous Storytime 2024 

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) 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, family day cares, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 24th successful year, it 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. 

NSS Aims To:  

• promote the value of reading and literacy,  
• promote the value and fun of books, 
• promote an Australian writer and publisher,  
• celebrate and promote storytime activities in public libraries, school libraries, classrooms and communities around the country, 
• and provide opportunities to involve parents, caregivers, the media, and others to participate in and enjoy the occasion. 

NSS receives positive media coverage and generates a great deal of community interest. 2023 was their biggest and most successful NSS to date with over 2.3 million participants at over 59,000 locations! 

What do we look for in the National Simultaneous Storytime book? 

Each year interested publishers send in possible titles. From a practical perspective, the publisher has to be able and willing to provide copyright release for use of the illustrations, book projection, translation into other languages and performance. The publisher also needs to commit to a special print run of several thousand copies. This narrows down the options. The criteria for choosing from the remaining books include: a positive storyline; appeal to a modern and diverse audience; suitability for read-aloud (language and length); how well the book lends itself to craft and other activities. 

This Event Takes Place Online. 

This year NSS takes place on Wednesday 22 May 2024 at 12:00pm. Everyone can join NSS, it doesn't matter whether you are at home, a school, a public library or even a university library!  

This year Bowerbird Blues has been chosen as the book to be read and shared for National Simultaneous Storytime. 

Written and illustrated by Aura Parker 

RELEASE DATE: April 2023, published by Scholastic Press 

I am a collector. Always looking, finding ... and keeping! Bowerbird loves blue. Magnificent cobalt. Brilliant, vibrant blue! But something is missing. What could it be? 

This new picture book from Aura Parker stars a beautiful bowerbird on the search for blue! It’s a moving story of longing and connection, that unfolds as the bowerbird’s search sends him soaring across the sea, sky and city. He swoops and snatches vibrant treasures for his collection, and soon his bower – a mix of natural and unnatural objects – attracts something greater and more fulfilling than he could ever have imagined.  

We are looking forward to participating in this event for 2024.