Participate In National Simultaneous Storytime 2023

On Wednesday 24h May 2023, at 11:00 am is National Simultaneous Storytime. The book this year is The Speedy Sloth by Rebecca Young and Heath McKenzie.

The Speedy Sloth is about a sloth called Spike and the Great Race. It was finally time for the event of the year, Spike couldn’t believe it—THE GREAT RACE was here! The other sloths said it couldn’t be done, but Spike didn’t care, she was ready to run!

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places. Now in its 22nd successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6. 

About The Author

Rebecca Young is an award-winning author from Sydney. Her first book, Button Boy, illustrated by Sue deGennaro, was a Notable Book for the 2012 CBCA Awards and has been published internationally. In 2016, Teacup, illustrated by Matt Ottley, won the Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children’s Literature in the NSW Premier’s Literacy Awards.

About the Illustrator

Heath McKenzie is an award-winning children’s book illustrator who has written and illustrated countless books for children. Heath lives in Melbourne with his wife, two kids, a dog, and a fish that he considers more of a lodger than a family member.

Event Delivery

This event takes place online.

This year NSS takes place on Wednesday 24 May 2023 at 11:00 am. Everyone can join NSS, it doesn't matter whether you are at home, a school, a public library or even a university library! 

Time and Date

Date: Wednesday 24th May 2023
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm 

To register: ALIA National Simultaneous Storytime 2023

Registered participants have access to a range of resources including videos, audio recordings and a PDF copy of the book.

You will receive an email by 5 pm Monday 22 May 2023 with the links to access these resources and you are able to access and use all of them for the entire week of NSS.