Libraries feather their nests in time for National Simultaneous Storytime

It’s storytime.

In a sign of unity, not just on Redlands Coast but right across Australia, New Zealand and other parts of the world, everyone will be on the same page.

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) will be held on Wednesday 22 May with the book Bowerbird Blues by Aura Parker chosen as this year’s Australian-written and illustrated picture book to be read simultaneously in libraries, schools, homes and childcare centres.

Redland City libraries at Capalaba, Cleveland, Victoria Point and Point Lookout (Minjerribah / North Stradbroke Island) will once again take part in NSS which is in its 24th year.

Redland City Mayor Jos Mitchell said library staff had been busy preparing for the event.

“Every year, the libraries teams decorate the children’s areas and prep their fancy dress for the much-anticipated event,” she said.

“If you drop into any of the mainland libraries in the lead up to National Simultaneous Storytime you will see a lot of handmade decorations – from stained glass window displays to little bowers strung with blue bits and bobs.

“Bowerbird Blues is the tale of a tenacious bowerbird who collects a random assortment of items – all of them blue. But the bowerbird can’t help but think something is missing.

“After storytime on the day, children and caregivers can participate in a free craft activity, making paper plate bowers and bowerbird puppets.”

The Mayor said NSS was Australia’s largest shared reading event and was run by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) in support of early literacy.

In 2023, more than two million children took part in NSS, said ALIA Acting CEO Trish Hepworth.

“NSS throws an international spotlight on the important work that libraries do every day,” she said.

“When we read together it helps language development, learning and literacy, all while building community. It’s also a lot of fun.”

NSS is a free event, suitable for children 0 to 8, and bookings are not required.

For more information and to see what other events are happening at your local library, go to https://bit.ly/RLNSS