Get together with other readers across Australia for the 2025 National Simultaneous Storytime.
This year National Simultaneous Storytime takes place on Wednesday 21 May at 12pm (AEST) and will feature the book The Truck Cat written by Deborah Frenkel and illustrated by Danny Snell.
The Truck Cat is a story about cats and humans, immigration and identity, and homes lost and found. Along with his human, Yacoub, Tinka travels roads wide and narrow, near and distant. But no matter how much they travel, home feels very far away – for both of them.
Everyone can join NSS, it doesn’t matter whether you are at home, a school, a public library or even a university library!
National Simultaneous Storytime is an annual campaign that aims to encourage more young Australians to read and enjoy books. Now in its 25th 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.
The event is a simultaneous read-aloud event held in libraries, schools, pre-schools, family homes, childcare centres, bookshops and many other places around the country.
Families and educators keen to join in the fun can register at alia.org.au/nss for FREE and have access to a variety of electronic downloads to support their NSS event including videos, audio recordings and a PDF copy of the book. Get together with your mums’ or dads’ group and join in on a NSS event at a local library.
Lake Mac Libraries Event
Lake Mac Libraries Simultaneous Storytime will be held at various times at the following libraries:
- Cameron Park Library
- Cardiff Library
- Charlestown Library
- Swansea Library
- Windale Library
Bookings are essential for this Storytime.
Find out more about Lake Mac Libraries Simultaneous Storytime.
Maitland City Library Event
TO BE CONFIRMED FOR 2025
Simultaneous Storytime will be held at 12pm at the following branches.
- Maitland Library
- East Maitland Library
- Rutherford Library
- Thornton Library
Find out more about Maitland Libraries Simultaneous Storytime.
Newcastle Libraries Event
Simultaneous Storytime will be held at 12pm at the following branches:
- Wallsend Library
No bookings required, just drop-in!
Find out more about Newcastle Libraries Simultaneous Storytime.
Cessnock Libraries
Cessnock City Library details TBA
The book is available to purchase online. Purchase via Scholastic, Dymocks, Angus & Robertson, Macleans Booksellers, Harry Hartog in Kotara and Greenhills or wherever good books are sold.