Wednesday, May 21st, 2025, was a special day across Australia as millions of children, families, and communities united for the much-anticipated ALIA National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS). This special annual event, now in its 25th successful year, once again proved to be a vibrant celebration of reading, literacy, and the powerful role of Australian storytelling.

This year’s chosen book for NSS 2025 was ‘The Truck Cat’, written by Deborah Frenkel and illustrated by Danny Snell, and published by Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing.

‘The Truck Cat’ proved to be much more than just a charming tale about a feline friend; it was a heartwarming story about cats and humans, immigration and identity, and the rich meaning of “home lost and found”. These themes resonated deeply, offering a wonderful opportunity for young readers to explore concepts of kindness, compassion, and belonging.

Diving Deeper: Critical Literacy with Future Educators

I had the privilege of using ‘The Truck Cat’ today in a different, yet important, way. I brought the book into a class of early childhood pre-service teachers, not just to celebrate NSS, but to engage them in a critical literacy perspective.

The book, as the focal point of today’s nationwide event, offered a rich text for us to explore. We discussed how early childhood educators can move beyond simply reading the words on the page to exploring the underlying messages, and different perspectives, within children’s literature. Students had the opportunity to use this book to design a lesson for children and consider:

• Whose voices are heard (and not heard) in the story?
• What are the implicit assumptions about “home” and “belonging”?
• How might children from diverse backgrounds interpret the themes of immigration and identity?
• How can educators use this book to foster empathy and understanding of different experiences?

This session highlighted for these future educators the immense responsibility and opportunity they have in shaping young minds through the books they choose and the discussions they facilitate. ‘The Truck Cat’ provided a springboard for these conversations, demonstrating how a beloved NSS book can also be a powerful tool for developing critical thinking skills from a very early age.

Why National Simultaneous Storytime Remains So Special

NSS is not just about reading a book; it’s about fostering a lifelong love of reading and promoting literacy skills in a fun and engaging way. Today’s event demonstrated why this initiative is so important:

• Promotes Literacy: By bringing stories to life, NSS encourages children to engage with books, expand their vocabulary, and develop strong language skills.
• Encourages a Love of Reading: The shared experience of reading together makes books exciting and enjoyable, laying the foundation for a lifelong passion for reading.
• Fosters Community Connection: From libraries and schools to homes and childcare centres, NSS united communities across Australia in a shared love for stories.
• Highlights Australian Talent: Once again, NSS showcased an exceptional Australian picture book, celebrating our local authors and illustrators.
• Addresses Key Learning Areas: The chosen books explore age-appropriate themes that align with the Australian Curriculum, offering valuable learning opportunities for children from Foundation to Year 6.
• Sparks Important Conversations: ‘The Truck Cat’ provided a fantastic springboard for discussions on migration, identity, empathy, and what it means to belong, as we explored today in our pre-service teacher class.

So, on the 21^st May at 12 noon AEST, ‘The Truck Cat’ traveled across Australia, touching hearts and minds.

By Elizabeth Heck