What Do a Bowerbird, a Sloth, and a Cat in a Truck Have in Common? 🐦🚚🐓

Rachel Smith
May 16
7 min read

Bowerbird Blues by Aura Parker, The Speedy Sloth by Rebecca Young & Heath McKenzie, Family Tree by Josh Pyke & Ronojoy Ghosh, Whitney and Britney: Chicken Divas by Lucinda Gifford, Alpacas with Maracas by Matt Cosgrove, Hickory Dickory Dash by Tony Wilson & Laura Wood, and The Cow Tripped Over the Moon by the same brilliant duo…

What do all these delightful picture books have in common?

They’ve all taken centre stage in National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS)—a beloved annual event where over a million children across Australia (and beyond!) sit down to share the joy of the same story, read at the same time.

And now, joining this incredible lineup of engaging, whimsical, and heartwarming stories for 2025, is a brand-new tale ready to roll into our hearts:The Truck Cat, written by Deborah Frenkel, illustrated by Danny Snell, and published by Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing.

What Is National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS)?

National Simultaneous Storytime is more than just a moment of reading—it’s a celebration of connection, community, and the power of storytelling. Organised annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), NSS brings together children, families, educators, and librarians across the country to read the same book at the same time.

It’s one of Australia’s largest literacy events, with over a million participants every year. Whether it's happening in a bustling city library, a tiny rural Family Day Care, or a lounge room with a homeschool parent and child, everyone stops to read—together.

This shared moment reminds us that stories can unite us, no matter where we are.

The Role of ALIA

ALIA (Australian Library and Information Association) is the peak national body for the library and information services sector. Since 1937, it has championed access to information, literacy, and learning for all Australians.

Through NSS and many other programs, ALIA reinforces the critical role that books and libraries play in child development. They also advocate for lifelong learning, early literacy, and equitable access to education—a mission that aligns beautifully with the values we uphold in early childhood education.

For us as educators, particularly in Family Day Care and small service settings, NSS is a moment to feel seen, valued, and connected to a national initiative. It breaks the sense of isolation that can sometimes come with working solo. For children, it’s an exciting opportunity to feel part of something much bigger—something national, even global.

The Truck Cat – A Story of Belonging, Identity & Hope

At first glance, The Truck Cat may appear to be a simple story about a cat and his human. But underneath the gentle illustrations and warm narrative lies a deeply moving story of immigration, identity, loneliness, and the universal search for belonging.

Tinka the cat and his human, Yacoub, are always on the move—travelling roads wide and narrow, through towns and across landscapes. But for both of them, home feels distant. Displaced and disconnected, they carry the weight of memories and the ache of what has been left behind.

When they are unexpectedly separated, their determination to reunite leads them on a journey that explores more than physical space—it explores what it truly means to belong.

“The Truck Cat is a story that’s all about belonging and connection,” says author Deborah Frenkel. “So it’s an absolute thrill that this book will connect so many readers through National Simultaneous Storytime in 2025.”

Themes of migration, separation, resilience, and reconnection shine through, offering a rich opportunity for educators to facilitate meaningful conversations with children around:

What makes a home?
How can we stay connected even when we are far apart?
How do we welcome someone who feels lost or new?
What helps us feel safe and seen?

The gentle tone and emotive storyline give space for children from all backgrounds—including those with trauma histories, diverse cultural roots, or complex family stories—to feel represented, validated, and connected.

And for educators? It’s a poignant reminder of the impact our relationships and environments have on children’s sense of security and belonging—core elements of both the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and Be You wellbeing initiatives.

Bringing The Truck Cat to Life in Your Setting

Whether you’re in a Family Day Care home, a preschool, a school library or even reading at home, The Truck Cat offers rich opportunities to create connection, empathy, and shared learning. Here are some ways to make this year’s NSS more than just a moment—but a whole experience:

1. Create a Calm & Connected Storytime Space

Set up a cozy "reading truck" corner using pillows, cardboard boxes, or play tents. Add soft textures, a steering wheel, and maybe a plush cat!
Include a world map or globe to spark conversation about travel, distance, and where people come from.
Invite children to bring in something from “home” to add to a shared display that celebrates identity and belonging.

EYLF Link: Outcome 1 – Children have a strong sense of identityEducator Wellbeing Tip: Slow down and enjoy the shared presence of storytime. It’s a moment for connection, not perfection.

2. Art, Drama & Story Extension

Create a collaborative mural showing Tinka and Yacoub’s journey. Where do they go? Who do they meet?
Use small world play to retell the story using toy trucks, animal figurines, or recycled materials.
Invite children to draw their own “homes” or safe places. What does home mean to them?

EYLF Link: Outcome 5 – Children are effective communicatorsEducator Wellbeing Tip: Share in the storytelling—let children take the lead. This can reduce pressure and deepen engagement.

3. Build Cultural & Community Connections

Reach out to local community members to share migration stories (with consent), helping children hear real voices about belonging and resilience.
Create a “Where We Come From” wall with family flags, recipes, or greetings in different languages.

EYLF Link: Outcome 2 – Children are connected with and contribute to their worldEducator Wellbeing Tip: Celebrate diversity simply. A small gesture like greeting in multiple languages makes a big impact—without adding to your workload.

4. Cook Your Way Through the Story (Thermomix opportunity!)

Make a dish that could be found on the road with Tinka and Yacoub—flatbreads, soups, or shared meals that reflect their travels.
Invite families to share recipes that represent “home” for them. Make one together using your Thermomix.

EYLF Link: Outcome 3 – Children have a strong sense of wellbeingEducator Wellbeing Tip: Let your Thermomix do the heavy lifting! Food is comfort—for both children and educators.

5. Write or Draw Letters to Tinka

Support literacy development by writing or drawing messages to Tinka. Where do the children think he should go next? What does he need to feel safe?

EYLF Link: Outcome 4 – Children are confident and involved learnersEducator Wellbeing Tip: Use children's responses as gentle assessment evidence—no extra paperwork needed.

The Truck Cat in the K–2 Classroom: ACARA Links & Learning Ideas

National Simultaneous Storytime is a brilliant opportunity to celebrate literacy, culture, and connection across early primary years. With rich themes of identity, place, and emotional resilience, The Truck Cat aligns beautifully with the Australian Curriculum across multiple learning areas.

English: Language, Literature & Literacy

AC9EFLY02 & AC9E1LY02: Identify the characters, settings, and main events in literary texts.→ Ask students to describe the journey of Tinka and Yacoub. What challenges did they face? How were they feeling?
AC9EFLY06 & AC9E1LY06: Discuss how characters are represented in texts and explore their actions and feelings.→ Compare Tinka’s experience to their own feelings of being lost or finding their way.
AC9E1LE02 & AC9E2LE02: Discuss literary texts using text structure and language features to create meaning.→ Explore how illustrations and word choices create mood. How does Danny Snell show sadness, distance, or hope in his pictures?

Humanities & Social Sciences (HASS)

AC9HS1K01: Investigate how places are special and how people care for them.→ Explore the idea of “home” and how it changes for people who move or travel.
AC9HS2K01: Identify how the world is represented in stories and why people move.→ Discuss themes of migration, displacement, and belonging. Why did Yacoub and Tinka travel? What might they be looking for?

The Arts – Visual Arts & Drama

AC9AVA2C01 & AC9ADR2C01: Explore ideas and practices in artworks or performances.→ Create a drama piece where children act out scenes from The Truck Cat.→ Illustrate a scene from Tinka’s journey and describe the emotions behind it.

Health & Physical Education (HPE) – Personal & Social Capability

AC9HP2P01: Identify how to express and manage feelings.→ How did Tinka and Yacoub show they were scared or sad? What helped them feel safe again?
AC9HPFP01: Recognise the importance of friendships and social connections.→ Use the story as a springboard for conversations about helping others feel welcome or included.

A Few Cross-Curricular Activity Ideas:

Mapping Tinka’s Journey – Combine literacy with HASS and Geography by plotting a map of imagined or real routes they might have travelled.
Letters to Tinka – Use letter writing to practise sentence structure, punctuation, and sequencing.
Classroom Belonging Project – Invite students to bring in an object or picture from home to create a “We Belong Here” display.

This approach not only makes storytime meaningful, but also reduces pressure for primary educators—offering high-value teaching and learning that is deeply connected to wellbeing, identity, and emotional literacy.

Join the Nation for The Truck Cat on May 21st!

National Simultaneous Storytime is more than just a reading event—it's a joyful, unifying celebration of storytelling, connection, and the power of books to bring people together.

Whether you're in a Family Day Care home, a long day care centre, a preschool, primary classroom, OSHC service, library, community hub, or even gathered on a farm blanket under a tree—everyone is invited to be part of this shared national moment.

Reading The Truck Cat at 12:00pm AEST on Wednesday, 21 May 2025 is a powerful way to:

Promote a love of books and literacy
Open up conversations about identity, resilience, and belonging
Encourage language and social-emotional development
Connect your setting to a bigger, beautiful national network of educators, children, and families all reading together

So, mark your calendars, plan your storytime, and don’t forget to share your photos and activities using #LibraryStorytime and #NSS2025.

📖 Learn more here: https://www.alia.org.au/EventDetail?EventKey=NSS25

Let’s show the country what a connected community of passionate educators can do—with a story, a cat, and a shared moment of magic.