Alpacas, maracas and book stackers galore! Students at St Brigid's 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.

It was a family affair at St Brigid's, where students invited their parents and grandparents to a book fair and morning tea at the school, where they spent time perusing books and reading with each other.

Everyone then converged in the hall to watch Matt Cosgrove's book being read on the big screen – streaming a special reading of 'Alpacas with Maracas' by the Gold Coast Titans NRL team.

“I liked that there were lots of rhyming words in the book,” Eve said.

“I thought the book was funny. My favourite part was when they tried to find their talents,” Daniel added.

“The illustrations in the book were great. I liked the page where Al got his head stuck in the accordion!” Rafael laughed.

St Brigid's was one of several CEDoW schools who celebrated National Simultaneous Storytime. Read more here.