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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Personal Identity Activity (My Identity Wheel)
Explore personal identity by completing this personal identity wheel template.
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Build a Family Tree – Template
A versatile resource to use when exploring family history with your students.
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Summarising a Story Graphic Organisers
Use these graphic organisers to help students when summarising a story.
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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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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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Book Review Template
Encourage your students to share their thoughts on a story with this simple book review worksheet.
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Places I Belong Cut-and-Paste Worksheet
Encourage students to think of the different places they feel a sense of belonging at school and in the home environment.
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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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Handwriting Lines with Cat - No Dotted Line
Use the cat to help your students set their handwriting out correctly.
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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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Colour by Sight Words - 4 Words - Cat
A fun colouring activity to use when working with sight words.
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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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Readers' Theatre Script - Creepy Cat Club
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 10 years and over.
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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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Dot-to-Dot Drawing - Numbers by 3 - Cat
Join the dots and numbers to make a picture.
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Funky Cat - Halloween Art Activity
Print this fun Halloween craft activity and use Zentangle pattern art to create a cat with funky accessories.
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Classroom Book Truck – Resource Pack
Introduce your students to new book genres with an exciting food-truck-themed book tasting.
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Book Worm Themed - Book Report Template and Poster
A fun book worm themed poster with 3 book report templates to use when responding to literature.
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Cereal Box Author Study – Template
Research and write biographical text to create a literacy-themed book bin using an author study biography report template.
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Australian Immigration Infographic Poster
A poster to displaying statistics regarding Australian immigration.
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Comprehension - Creepy Cat Club
A fun script and set of questions to help students develop reading and comprehension strategies.
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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.