CITY OF SYDNEY’S GREEN SQUARE LIBRARY TO HOST NATIONAL SIMULTANEOUS STORYTIME - SET TO GET MILLIONS OF KIDS READING!

 Scholastic Australia is excited to announce that this year, children's book author/illustrator, Aura Parker will be reading the official National Simultaneous Storytime book, Bowerbird Blues at the beautiful state-of-the art, Green Square Library in the heart of the City of Sydney. 

Live streaming from the auditorium of the award-winning library on Wednesday 22nd May at 12.00 pm AEST, Aura will read her book simultaneously with millions of kids across Australia and New Zealand, and around the world, as part of National Simultaneous Storytime 2024. Last year over 2.3 million readers joined in the fun while Rebecca Young read The Speedy Sloth. This year marks the 24th National Simultaneous Storytime event, an annual campaign, by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). 

"I am delighted Green Square Library will be beamed across Australia for this National Simultaneous Storytime event. Libraries are not just about books; they're about fostering a sense of community. They're inclusive spaces where everyone is welcome to explore, discover, and grow. Libraries are havens - places to delve into the depths of imagination or to find answers to life's questions. I hope everyone enjoys hearing Bowerbird Blues for this special event!" 

Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO 

Bowerbird Blues written and illustrated by Aura Parker and published by Scholastic, is the official National Simultaneous Storytime book for 2024. 

I am a collector. Always looking, finding ... and keeping! 

Bowerbird loves blue. Magnificent cobalt. Brilliant, vibrant blue! But something is missing. What could it be? 

This delightful picture book from Aura Parker stars a beautiful bowerbird on the search for blue! It's a moving story of longing and connection, that unfolds as the bowerbird's search sends him soaring across the sea, sky and city. He swoops and snatches vibrant treasures for his collection, and soon his bower—a mix of natural and unnatural objects—attracts something greater and more fulfilling than he could ever have imagined. 

"Aura Parker's book Bowerbird Blues addresses important environmental issues using a gentle lyricism and powerful visual aesthetic that will appeal to children of all ages. We are proud to feature it as this year's National Simultaneous Storytime book and thank libraries everywhere for making books like this one available to their communities, particularly those at the early stages of reading and literacy." ALIA CEO Cathie Warburton. 

Scholastic Australia is proud to be the official publishing and event partner for National Simultaneous Storytime 2024 - supporting ALIA and this wonderful initiative, which promotes reading and children's literacy. To celebrate, Scholastic is donating copies of the book to children in major children's hospitals across Australia. Please help us in our aim to connect with as many children as possible, with the joy of reading together. 

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Scholastic Australia 

Sharon Turner, Communications and Publicity Manager Scholastic Australia 

M: 0413 944 005 | E: sharon_turner@scholastic.com.au 

Editor's Notes: 

About Aura Parker Aura Parker is an illustrator, writer and designer who inspires imagination, courage, and confidence in young readers. She works in watercolour, pen and coloured pencil, as well as digital techniques. Aura Parker's storytelling through words and pictures fosters a love, curiosity and passion for nature and the environment. She is passionate about reading, art, design, and encouraging children to be creative and brave. 

About National Simultaneous Storytime National Simultaneous Storytime is an important annual campaign that aims to encourage young children to read and enjoy books as well as teach them the value of literacy. Every year, a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in schools, libraries, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around Australia, New Zealand, and the world. 

About Scholastic Scholastic has been the market leader of Australian children's publishing for over 50 years, bringing the joy of reading to multiple generations of Australian families. Scholastic operates on a unique model, proudly partnering with both Australian schools and major retailers. You can find Scholastic products in Book Club, Book Fairs, the classroom, and retail chains and independent booksellers. Scholastic believes that all children should have regular access to quality, affordable books that they have chosen for themselves. Reading ignites a spark of adventure that a child can carry within their heart well into their adult life. Scholastic hopes to light this spark within every child