A national reading ritual has celebrated 25 years of promoting literacy.
Millions of children, teachers, parents, and caregivers across Australia read The Truck Cat in unison on 21 May, for National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS).
Since 2001, the annual Australian Library and Information Association’s (ALIA) event has showcased the value of reading and literacy using an Australian children’s book.
Every year, on a designated day, at a set time, libraries, schools, early learning centres, families, and communities across Australia read the same book simultaneously.
The Truck Cat was this year’s selected book – a story about cats and humans, immigration and identity, and homes lost and found.
An expert panel of children’s and youth librarians selected the Deborah Frenkel title, praising its meditation on themes such as home, loneliness, migration, love, and even food.
These themes unfold against the backdrop of Danny Snell’s evocative illustrations.
Books featured over the years include The Magic Hat written by Mem Fox and illustrated by Tricia Tusa; Too Many Elephants in this House by Ursula Dubosarsky, illustrated by Andrew Joyner; and The Cow Tripped Over the Moon by Tony Wilson.
In 2021, even astronaut Dr Shannon Walker joined in from the International Space Station, reading Give Me Some Space! by Philip Bunting.
NSS also highlights the role libraries play in nurturing a lifelong love of reading.
“From story time sessions to literacy programs and curated collections, libraries provide invaluable support for developing reading skills and igniting imaginations,” ALIA CEO Cathie Warburton said.
“It is an undeniable demonstration of how libraries bring stories to life and connect communities through the power of reading.”
