National Simultaneous Storytime 2026 Teaching Resources
Get ready for National Simultaneous Storytime 2026 with printable and digital learning activities and resources that will extend the wonder and joy of this year's story — Luna Roo the Kangaroo Baller!
This collection of teacher-created National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) activities is the perfect tool for teachers, librarians and schools celebrating the event in 2026 with fun and engaging teaching resources to get students hooked on reading!
New to celebrating this event? Read on for a primer from our teacher team on what it is and how it began, plus find out more about the book teachers across Australia will be reading this year!
What Is National Simultaneous Storytime?
National Simultaneous Storytime is an annual event when primary school students of Australia participate in what constitutes a warm hug for your ears – they have a story read to them at the exact same time as peers across the country!
And it's not just that everyone is reading at the same time that makes this event so special — thousands of schools, libraries and communities will all read the same book at the same time! The event is organised by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), and it aims to promote the importance of reading and literacy for young children. It also encourages them to develop a love of reading.
When Is National Simultaneous Storytime 2026?
In 2026, teachers and students all around Australia will settle down with their books on Wednesday, 27 May at 12 p.m. (AEST) to read a book simultaneously!
What Is the National Simultaneous Storytime Text for 2026?
In 2026, the chosen book for reading simultaneously is Luna Roo the Kangaroo Baller by Adam Jackson and Adrian Lloyd!
Members of the ALIA’s Children’s and Youth Services group chose the picture book and praised it for its themes, such as courage, determination, and teamwork, centred around a kangaroo football match.
Luna Roo the Kangaroo Baller is an inspiring underdog tale of courage, perseverance and the kind of grit that makes you want to stand up and cheer.
Who Is Adam Jackson & Adrian Lloyd? Meet the National Simultaneous Storytime Authors for 2026!
Curious to know more about the creators of this year's special picture book?
Adam Jackson has worked in football for nearly 20 years, starting his career at Manchester United then moving to Australia to work in sports publishing, most notably leading the sales and marketing for football magazine FourFourTwo. He is currently the Head of Marketing at global sports broadcaster beIN SPORTS, who broadcast European football in Australia and New Zealand.
Adrian Lloyd has played football for over 40 years and is a FA qualified coach, having coached children in America, at Fulham FC in London and both adult and children's teams in Australia. Adrian has also spent the last 20 years working in publishing, marketing and digital advertising for major global publishers and brands.
Explore the History of National Simultaneous Storytime
Curious about why we sit down together to read at the same time every year? The ALIA has been organising NSS events for more than 20 years now!
The first storytime event was held in 2001 when Edward the Emu written by Sheena Knowles and illustrated by Rod Clement was read simultaneously in libraries and schools across the country. The event occurred during Library and Information Week in 2001.
Since then, NSS has become a beloved event in schools and libraries around Australia. Each year, a new picture book is chosen by the ALIA, and children across the country have a chance to participate.
24 Past National Simultaneous Storytime Books to Add to Your Reading Corner
The books that have been read over the years as part of this event include:
- 2025 — The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel
- 2024 – Bowerbird Blues by Aura Parker
- 2023 — The Speedy Sloth by Rebecca Young and Heath McKenzie
- 2022 — Family Tree by Josh Pyke
- 2021 — Give Me Some Space! by Philip Bunting
- 2020 — Whitney and Britney Chicken Divas by Lucinda Gifford
- 2019 — Alpacas with Maracas by Matt Cosgrove
- 2018 — Hickory Dickory Dash by Tony Willson and illustrated by Laura Wood
- 2017 — The Cow Tripped Over the Moon by Tony Wilson and illustrated by Laura Wood
- 2016 — I Got This Hat by Jol and Kate Temple and illustrated by Jon Foye
- 2015 — The Brothers Quibble by Aaron Blabey
- 2014 — Too Many Elephants in this House by Ursula Dubosarsky and illustrated by Andrew Joyner
- 2013 — The Wrong Book by Nick Bland
- 2012 — The Very Cranky Bear by Nick Bland
- 2011 — Feathers for Phoebe by Rod Clement
- 2010 — Little White Dogs Can't Jump by Bruce Whatley and Rosie Smith and illustrated by Bruce Whatley
- 2009 — Pete the Sheep by Jackie French and illustrated by Bruce Whatley
- 2008 — Arthur written by Amanda Graham and illustrated by Donna Gynell
- 2007 — The Magic Hat written by Mem Fox and illustrated by Tricia Tusa
- 2006 — Good Night, Me by Andrew Daddo and illustrated by Emma Quay
- 2005 — Wombat Stew by Marcia K Vaughan and Pamela Lofts
- 2004 — Muddled-up Farm written by Mike Dumbleton and illustrated by Jobi Murphy
- 2003 — I Don't Want to Go to School written by Christine Harris and illustrated by Craig Smith
- 2002 — Mrs Wilkinson's Chooks by Leone Peguero and Mike Spoor
- 2001 — Edward the Emu written by Sheena Knowles and illustrated by Rod Clement
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Australian Immigration – Analysing Infographics Worksheet
Explore Australian immigration trends with your students by analysing a kid-friendly infographic and answering guided questions.
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All About My Family - Family Tree Project
Use a printable set of family tree templates and graphic organizers to help you students learn about their families.
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Story Retell Graphic Organisers (Differentiated)
Help students confidently retell a story with this set of differentiated graphic organisers.
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Design Your Own Book Cover Template
Design a new book cover and summarise a book using this one-page, printable template.
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Character Emotions Worksheet
Make inferences about character's feelings with this one-page worksheet.
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Passport To My Heritage Project Template
Celebrate your students’ diverse cultural heritages with a printable Heritage Project Poster Template.
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A Very Special Object – Worksheet
Explore the role that objects play in communicating the stories of our past with this simple worksheet.
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Dot-to-Dot Drawing - Numbers by 3 - Cat
Join the dots and numbers to make a picture.
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Migrant Life Writing Prompts
Spark thoughtful classroom discussions and meaningful writing about migrant life with these engaging writing prompts for upper primary students.
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Basic Elements of a Story Spinner Template
Learn the basic elements of a story using this fun and engaging story spinner template for your students.
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Book Review Chatterbox Template
Help your students review a book using this hands-on chatterbox.
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5 Fun Facts About Cats - Read and Respond Worksheet
A '5 fun facts ...' information sheet and worksheet.
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Australian Immigration Timeline
A 3 page timeline to display in the classroom when learning about Australian immigration.
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My Two Homes Activity
Use this ‘My Two Homes’ activity to explore diverse family structures and encourage students to explore all the places they can call ‘home.’
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Biography of an Immigrant Writing Project
Uncover the untold stories of migrants with an enriching biography research project for upper primary students.
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Immigration Vocabulary List & Activity Pack
Download our immigration vocabulary list and printable vocabulary activities to teach your students about human migration and immigration.
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Narrative Elements Graphic Organisers – Landscape
Encourage your students to write and draw about various story elements with this set of differentiated graphic organisers.
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Celebrating Family Ties - Template
Have students reflect on immigration to Australia while researching their own family ancestry.
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How to Make an Origami Cat Ring Video
Make cute origami cat rings with your students using this easy-to-follow instructional origami video.
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10 National Simultaneous Storytime Classroom Activities for 2025
Explore curriculum-aligned National Simultaneous Storytime ideas that will take you from reading time into science, writing and more!
- National Simultaneous Storytime 2026 Templates
- National Simultaneous Storytime 2026 Worksheets
- National Simultaneous Storytime 2026 for Foundation Year
- National Simultaneous Storytime 2026 for Year 1
- National Simultaneous Storytime 2026 for Year 2
- National Simultaneous Storytime 2026 for Year 3
- National Simultaneous Storytime 2026 for Year 4
- National Simultaneous Storytime 2026 for Year 5
- National Simultaneous Storytime 2026 for Year 6