Storytime shared with others around the country

Councillor Susan McMichael was Guyra Library’s guest reader for the 25th annual National Simultaneous Storytime
27th May 2025

Children from across the region enjoyed being part of National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) at Guyra Library this week, reading with others from all around the country.
NSS is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association.
“Each year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in locations around the country,” said Armidale Regional Council Mayor Sam Coupland.
“Armidale Regional Libraries have been enthusiastic NSS hosts of this valuable event for many years, and councillors love the chance to get involved!”
Councillor Susan McMichael was Guyra Library’s guest reader for the 25th annual NSS, and read ‘The Truck Cat’, written by Deborah Frenkel and illustrated by Danny Snell.
Listening attentively were 135 children from across the region, including from Guyra Central School, Bald Blair Public School, Ben Lomond Public School, Guyra Preschool and Long Day Care Centre, as well as families from Armidale and District Family Day Care.
Aimee Hutton, Council’s Chief Officer Corporate and Community, led some singing. The children all joined in with ‘wheels on the bus’ and some other favourites. Then Cr McMichael had the children laughing at her reading of ‘The Book with No Pictures’.
According to the library team, it was a wonderful day all around, and importantly everyone spent enjoyable time with books - appreciating the value of reading and literacy!
Ahead of the day, Guyra Library held a colouring competition for children, and winners were announced on the NSS day. Congratulations to Lani (Bald Blair), Dallas (Guyra Central School), Jack (Bald Blair), Alex (St Mary of the Angels), Willow (Bald Blair), and Theresa (Guyra Central School).
Thank you to Guyra Library’s Wendy Warner for organising this event, and special thanks to Guyra Home Support Services and Oxley Explorer for providing transport for small schools.

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