Children at Community Kids Montebello tuned in to UniSA Mount Gambier Campus Education students during National Simultaneous Storytime 2023.

Each year, a picture book by an Australian author and illustrator is read simultaneously across the nation in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops, and more.

The UniSA students are in their second year of studying a Bachelor of Education and this year’s chosen book was ‘The Speedy Sloth’ by author Rebecca Young and illustrator Heath McKenzie.

UniSA Mount Gambier regional manager Ian McKay said the visit to Community Kids Montebello was enjoyed by both the toddler and kindy children and UniSA students.

“Two pre-service teachers Jaime and Sophie read the story The Speedy Sloth to the children and the class then read stories they had chosen to small groups of children in the centre,” Mr McKay said.

“Children were engrossed in the stories and loved having visitors.

“Our pre-service teachers enjoyed the opportunity to practice their story reading skills with a live audience.”

This year marked the 23rd year of National Simultaneous Storytime, which is held by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA).

The annual event strives to promote the value of reading and literacy using an Australian children’s book which has a positive storyline, is suitable for read-aloud, lends itself to craft and other activities and appeals to a modern and diverse audience.

The chosen book explores age-appropriate themes and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.

Last year was the largest and most successful National Simultaneous Storytime so far, with 2.18 million participants at more than 59,000 locations.