Alpacas, maracas and book stackers galore! Students at St Thomas More joined over one million kids in Australia and New Zealand in gathering together to be read aloud the same book at the same time for National Simultaneous Storytime!

In its 19th year, the annual Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) event has been a huge success, with kids in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country all sharing in Australian author and illustrator, Matt Cosgrove’s book ‘Alpacas with Maracas’.

The colourful, fun event aims to promote the value of reading and literacy using an Australian children's book. This year’s book celebrates a positive storyline and themes and was chosen for its appeal to a modern and diverse audience, addressing key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6, and lending itself to craft and other learning activities – many of which were greatly enjoyed by our students throughout the day.

There was a lot of laughing and maraca-shaking throughout the day at St Thomas More. Students enjoyed reading the book as a group, and made use of the digital presentations of the book – students had access to an audio reading of the book; a pdf version; videos of guest speakers reading the book; and even videos of the reading in Auslan and Key Word Sign.

“It’s such a funny book, I couldn't stop laughing!” James from 1B giggled. “I liked reading the book together – it was happiness!” — Braxton, 1G

St Thomas More was one of several CEDoW schools who celebrated National Simultaneous Storytime. Read more here.