Join in the Fun: National Simultaneous Storytime with Josh Pyke Reading Family Tree

It’s that time of year again…

Would you like to join over 1 million children across Australia and New Zealand on Wednesday, 25 May 2022 to read a book at the same time? Well, with the Australian Library and Information Association’s (ALIA) free National Simultaneous Storytime event, you can!

Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around Australia, New Zealand and the world.

This year’s title is Family Tree, written by Australian singer-songwriter and children’s author Josh Pyke and illustrated by picture book creator Ronojoy Ghosh. Known for his wonderful storytelling and lyricism, this gorgeous children’s book will be read by Josh Pyke live via Facebook from the National Library of Australia in Canberra at 11am AEST on 25 May 2022.

Josh Pyke says: “Family Tree is such a special book to me. The last couple of years has really highlighted the importance and value of community and family, no matter what that family looks like … Diversity and access to different stories, different experiences and backgrounds, is what makes for a robust and accepting family. I imagine my kids exploring the world, and sharing their own stories, whilst always knowing their roots are strong back home.”

ALIA is also delighted to have a selection of VIP guest readers to take part in this year’s Storytime including Australian Children’s Laureate Gabrielle Wang and the Governor General of Australia, David Hurley and his wife Mrs Hurley.

It’s not too late to register for this free reading event. More information and registration can be found on the ALIA website.