Join the virtual National Simultaneous Storytime
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 around the country.
With the recent constraints due to COVID-19, NSS will look a little different this year. It’s going virtual, but it’s going to be just as fun. There are a number of ways to virtually engage – whether from your home, school or childcare facility.
NSS will be held at 11am on Wednesday 27 May. This year’s book is Whitney and Britney Chicken Divas.
Engage
- Story Box Library: If you’re a student or staff member at Deakin, log in to Story Box Library to watch the video of VIP guest reader, Emma Wiggle, read Whitney and Britney Chicken Divas. You should also be able to access Story Box Library through a Public Library membership.
- ABC Kids Play School Story Time: Tune in to watch Denise Scott read the book by accessing ABC iview on a desktop computer, or by downloading the ABC Kids app on a mobile or tablet device. This version will also be AUSLAN interpreted.
- Your local public library: NSS is a much-admired event that most public libraries celebrate. Check out your local library’s Facebook page if they have one: Facebook Live story times are proving quite popular during this time!
There are many more ways you can participate! Here are alternatives recommended by ALIA:
- Join the book’s author Lucinda Gifford reading the story live on either Scholastic Australia or the Royal Children’s Hospital’s Facebook pages
- View the Auslan video reading of the story
- Join Stephanie Alexander reading by video
- Watch the Hon Paul Fletcher MP read the story
- Join the Governor-General David Hurley and Mrs Hurley’s live reading
- Watch Ursula Dubosarsky, Australian Children’s Laureate
- Watch Justin O’Neill, North Queensland Cowboys reading by video
- Watch Hon Michelle Landry MP read the story
- Download the Key Word Sign video, sign links and Key word sign information sheet
- Visit Learn From Play to download teaching resources and activities
Check out the following resources collated from alia.org.au to assist with your event.
Teach
Use these insightful resources to help scaffold literacy:
- Teacher notes, discussion notes and activity ideas from Scholastic Australia
- Teaching resources and activities from Learn from Play
Create
Get creative with these fun resources:
- Colouring in resource pack
- Lucinda Gifford resource pack (created by the author)
- Cleverpatch activity eBook
- Have a go at this Jigsaw puzzle. You can make it as hard or easy as you like!