Are you ready for National Simultaneous Storytime on Wednesday?

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is a core event of the early childhood education and care (ECEC) annual calendar, with early learning settings joining schools, libraries, playgroups and other settings in reading the same story at the same time. 

On Wednesday 22 May, at 12 midday (AEST), more than 2 million children are expected to listen to Aura Parker’s story Bowerbird Blues, a touching story of one bird’s search for belonging and connection. 

The story stars a beautiful bowerbird on the search for all things blue to fill his bower. His search sees him traversing sea, sky and city, looking for natural and man made objects, while also finding something greater and more fulfilling than he could ever have imagined.

Ms Parker said she was ‘surprised and blown away’ to learn that her work would be the star of the show for NSS 2024. 

“National Simultaneous Storytime brings us together and makes us smile, and the shared experience can send imaginations soaring to new heights,” she said. “I am surprised and blown away with excitement that ‘Bowerbird Blues’ has been chosen as the book for 2024!”

The book was selected by an expert panel formed of members of ALIA’s Children’s and Youth Services group, with panelist and convenor of ALIA’s Children and Youth Services Group, Nicola McGeown, saying, “Bowerbird Blues is an outstanding and visually appealing picture book. We all agreed that it was beautiful to read and would be a wonderful book to share across a wide range of age groups.

For ALIA Acting CEO Trish Hepworth, NSS is one of the highlights of the library year. 

“NSS throws an international spotlight on the important work that libraries do every day” she said.

“When we read together it helps language development, learning and literacy, all while building community. It’s also a lot of fun.”

The hashtag, #LibraryStorytime can be used to share your storytime events and follow readers across the country. 

Learn more about NSS and how to participate here.