Canberra, 5 August 2020: National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) 2021, run by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), is set to be the most exciting year yet. Along with Scholastic Australia, we have also partnered with the Australian Space Agency and the Office of the Chief Scientist to host National Simultaneous Storytime read from space.
The book, Give me some space! written and illustrated by Philip Bunting and published by Scholastic Australia, will be read by an astronaut from the International Space Station on Wednesday 19 May 2021 at 11:00am (AEST).
ALIA along with the Australian Space Agency and The Office of the Chief Scientist, with help from Science Time From Space, will also be running an experiment, which will bring an additional science and educational component to NSS 2021 for school age participants.
Sue McKerracher, ALIA CEO said, ‘this is our most ambitious NSS to date and we are calling for readers across the nation to read the book on 19 May 2021 and participate in our first ever NSS science experiment. The importance of reading, particularly STEM books, cannot be understated and we are hoping to make NSS 2021 the biggest one yet’.
As always, we will be selling some great merchandise, and we will provide free downloadable resources to all participants to help you celebrate the day in style.
About National Simultaneous Storytime
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. 2021 will be the 21st year of the campaign. It is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy. Thank you to all of the supporters of National Simultaneous Storytime 2021 Australian Space Agency, the Office of the Chief Scientist, Science Time From Space, author Philip Bunting, Scholastic Australia, the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa; and our official supporter CleverPatch.
About the Australian Library and Information Association
The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) is the professional organisation for the Australian library and information services sector.
With 5,000 members across Australia, we provide the national voice of the profession in the development, promotion and delivery of quality library and information services, through leadership, advocacy and mutual support. www.alia.org.au