National Simultaneous Storytime will take place on Wednesday 22 May 2024 at 12:00pm AEST.

In 2023, NSS saw over 2 million children taking part and even more are expected to shar the joy of Bowerbird Blues this year. For 2024, the time has been adjusted slightly so more librarians, teachers, parents, and caregivers across Australia, New Zealand, and around the world can read together.

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Bowerbird Blues stars a beautiful bowerbird on the search for (you guessed it) BLUE!  It’s a moving story of longing and connection, that unfolds as the bowerbird’s search sends him soaring across the sea, sky and city. He swoops and snatches vibrant treasures for his collection, and soon his bower – a mix of natural and unnatural objects – attracts something greater and more fulfilling than he could ever have imagined.

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Upon learning that her book had been selected as this year’s NSS story, author Aura Parker said “National Simultaneous Storytime brings us together and makes us smile, and the shared experience can send imaginations soaring to new heights. I am surprised and blown away with excitement that ‘Bowerbird Blues’ has been chosen as the book for 2024!”

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Registrations for NSS 2024 are open now with announcements on the ALIA and LIANZA websites.