Picture this: millions of kids across Australia, sitting down at exactly the same moment, to hear the same story. That's what National Simultaneous Storytime is all about, and on 27 May, our Aussie Kindies crew were right there with them.
What's National Simultaneous Storytime?
National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is organised each year by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and has been running for 26 years. Every year, one Aussie picture book gets the spotlight, read aloud simultaneously at 12pm AEST in libraries, childcare centres, schools, and homes from one end of the country to the other. It's big, it's fun, and it's a brilliant reminder of why stories matter.
This year's pick? Luna Roo the Kangaroo Baller by Adam Jackson and Adrian Lloyd, illustrated by Jake Minton, and published by Little Book Press. It was chosen from 84 submissions, and it's a ripper.
So What's the Story?
Luna Roo is the rookie captain of FC Outback, and she's about to play the biggest match of her life against Bush United. The opponents? A spider goalkeeper with eight legs (eight legs!) and a team of snake attackers. The nerves? Very real.
But Luna learns that when things get tough, you trust your skills, you back your teammates, and you leave everything on the pitch. It's a proper underdog story - funny, exciting, and full of heart. The kind of book kids ask you to read again.
And the authors actually know their footy. Adam Jackson worked at Manchester United and has spent almost 20 years in professional football. Adrian Lloyd has been coaching kids' teams in Australia for decades. So when Luna's out there doing her thing, it feels real.
What the Children Got Up To
Our educators at Aussie Kindies and our wider Affinity Education network of centre didn't stop at the story, they turned NSS into a full celebration, soccer-style.
Some centres set up soccer-themed sensory trays, so kids could get their hands into the world of the book before and after storytime. Others took it outside with soccer activities, because sometimes the best response to an exciting story is to actually have a kick. And at several centres, families got to see what the kids thought about it all through foyer displays set up for pick-up time.
Safe to say, there was a lot of enthusiasm. And probably some very confident goalkeeping.
Why Storytime Is Such a Big Deal
Here's the thing about reading aloud to kids, it does so much more than tell a story. It builds vocabulary. It grows listening skills. It sparks imagination and helps kids process big feelings through the characters they meet on the page. Research consistently shows that children who are read to regularly start school with stronger foundations across language, literacy, and even social-emotional development.
And it doesn't have to be fancy. A book, a cosy spot, and a bit of expression in your voice, that's all it takes. National Simultaneous Storytime is a great excuse to make that a habit at home too.
Safe to say, there was a lot of enthusiasm. And probably some very confident goalkeeping.
Want to See What We're Up To?
Pop in and visit your nearest Aussie Kindies - we'd love to show you around.