National Simultaneous Storytime 2025 Teaching Resources
Get ready for National Simultaneous Storytime 2025 with printable and digital learning activities and resources that will extend the wonder and joy of this year's story — The Truck Cat!
This collection of teacher-created National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) activities is the perfect tool for teachers, librarians and schools celebrating the event in 2025 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 2025?
In 2025, teachers and students all around Australia will settle down with their books on 21 May at 12 p.m. (AEST) to read a book simultaneously!
What Is the National Simultaneous Storytime Text for 2025?
In 2025, the chosen book for reading simultaneously is The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel!
Members of the ALIA’s Children’s and Youth Services group chose the picture book and praised it for its universal themes such as home, loneliness and migration.
The book's author, Deborah Frenkel, said, 'The Truck Cat is a story that’s all about belonging and connection, so it’s an absolute thrill that this book will connect so many readers through National Simultaneous Storytime in 2025. I’m enormously honoured on Tinka the cat’s behalf!'
Who Is Deeborah Frenkel? Meet the National Simultaneous Storytime Author for 2025!
Curious to know more about the creator of this year's special picture book?Deborah Frenkel is a Melbourne-based writer who writes everything from books to billboards and even the words on the backs of cereal boxes. Her writing for children includes picture books about nature, imagination, and different kinds of belonging.
This year's National Simultaneous Storytime might be the first time you've heard of her, but the Australian author has plenty more picture books perfect for your classroom reading corner!
Take a look at this list of other titles from Deborah that you might want to read with your class:
- 100 School Days
- The Sydney Harbour Fairy
- Boldilocks
- Naturopolis
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:
- 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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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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Proud to be Me Scoot Game
Engage students in identifying and describing personal identity while also promoting discussion with this active activity.
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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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Australian Immigration Timeline
A 3 page timeline to display in the classroom when learning about Australian immigration.
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Mindful Cat Bookmark
Give students a chance to practise mindfulness and make reading even more enjoyable with their own unique cat bookmark.
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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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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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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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Story Retelling Strips
Explore a story with your students with this story-retelling cut-and-paste worksheet.
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My Personal Identity Teaching Slides (What Makes Me Me?)
Explore what makes each student an individual and help them explore their own identity with this set of teaching slides.
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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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Character Emotions Worksheet
Make inferences about character's feelings with this one-page worksheet.
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Handwriting Lines with Cat - No Dotted Line
Use the cat to help your students set their handwriting out correctly.
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Parts of My Identity Flipbook
Explore personal identity with your students with this Parts of Me Identity Flipbook.
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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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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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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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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 2025 Templates
- National Simultaneous Storytime 2025 Worksheets
- National Simultaneous Storytime 2025 for Foundation Year
- National Simultaneous Storytime 2025 for Year 1
- National Simultaneous Storytime 2025 for Year 2
- National Simultaneous Storytime 2025 for Year 3
- National Simultaneous Storytime 2025 for Year 4
- National Simultaneous Storytime 2025 for Year 5
- National Simultaneous Storytime 2025 for Year 6