Rookie captain Luna Roo leaves nothing on the pitch as she leads FC Outback in a thrilling face-off against Bush United. Faced with a spider goalkeeper, snakes in attack and bubbling nerves, Luna must trust her skills and her teammates to soar to victory.

Written by football veterans Adam Jackson and Adrian Lloyd, Luna Roo captures all the intense excitement of the game, with a heartwarming message that courage and determination are a winning combination.

“We chose Luna Roo for National Simultaneous Storytime because it captures the spirit of rising to a challenge with heart and grit. Navigating nerves, tricky opponents, and unexpected hurdles reflects the kind of determination kids face every day. Written by real players, the story pulses with authenticity and energy, making it a powerful celebration of courage, self-belief, and pushing through when things get tough.” – Kellie John, member of NSS Selection Panel.

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA).
Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 26th successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.

By facilitating NSS we aim to:

• promote the value of reading and literacy,
• promote the value and fun of books,
• promote an Australian writer and publisher,
• promote storytime activities in libraries and communities around the country,
• and provide opportunities to involve parents, grandparents, the media and others to participate in and enjoy the occasion. 

Get ready for NSS by ordering your custom NSS 2026 merchandise — the perfect way to decorate your library, classroom or story corner for the big day.

 

With thanks to Adam Jackson, Adrian Lloyd, Jake Minton, Little Book Press and our NSS partners we have a number of resources available to support your NSS event.  

Please note: all artworks, downloads and digital presentations are licensed for use only in conjunction with NSS events and activities.

NSS 2026 Participation Certificate 

StoryBox - all videos now available! (English, read-along, and Auslan) 

Twinkl resources - learning resources and activities - now available! 

Little Book Press - learning resources and activities - now available!  

CleverPatch - craft activities - now available! 

Museum of Australian Democracy resources - now available! 

Copyright Agency's Reading Australia - teaching resources - now available! 

Vision Australia - written and video instructions for creating a tactile storybook for low vision readers - now available! 

Key Word Sign Australia - sign language reading video plus accompanying instructional resources - now available! 

AssistiveWare - instructional video for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) - now available! 

Little Book Press and the authors have given the below permissions for NSS 2026: 

• Registered participants may use the provided PDF of the book on whiteboards and/or projection screens.
• Registered participants may present a reader's theatre dramatisation of the book with the condition that the presentation occurs only in connection with the event. The dramatisation may be live streamed and/or downloaded to YouTube or school intranet sites or via podcast.
• Registered participants may present the book as a puppet show with the condition that the presentation occurs only in connection with the event. The dramatisation may be live streamed and/or downloaded to YouTube or school intranet sites or via podcast.
• Registered participants may present the book as a storytelling with the condition that the presentation occurs only in connection with the event. The dramatisation may be live streamed and/or downloaded to YouTube or school intranet sites or via podcast.
• Registered participants may have an interpreter translate and read the book in another language with the condition that the presentation occurs only in connection with the event.
• Registered participants may use an image of the book cover for NSS promotion.
• Registered participants may use the printed or electronic materials provided by ALIA for promotion provided materials are not altered. All promotions should reference ALIA as the event organiser.
• Permission for participating organisations to use the digital presentations of the book provided by ALIA for NSS storytelling.

All permissions and resources apply for the period of Monday 25 May 2026 to Friday 31 July 2026 only.

For any other use of the book in conjunction with NSS 2026 please contact ALIA's Events team.

• 2025 - The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel and illustrated by Danny Snell
• 2024 - Bowerbird Blues by Aura Parker
• 2023 - The Speedy Sloth by Rebecca Young and illustrated by Heath McKenzie
• 2022 - Family Tree by Josh Pyke and illustrated by Ronojoy Ghosh
• 2021 - Give me some Space! by Philip Bunting
• 2020 - Whitney and Britney Chicken Divas by Lucinda Gifford
• 2019 - Alpacas with Maracas by Matt Cosgrove
• 2018 - Hickory Dickory Dash by Tony Willson and illustrated by Laura Wood
• 2017 - The Cow Tripped over the Moon by Tony Wilson and illustrated by Laura Wood
• 2016 - I Got This Hat by Jol and Kate Temple and illustrated by Jon Foye
• 2015 - The Brothers Quibble by Aaron Blabey
• 2014 - Too Many Elephants in this House by Ursula Dubosarsky and illustrated by Andrew Joyner
• 2013 - The Wrong Book by Nick Bland
• 2012 - The Very Cranky Bear by Nick Bland
• 2011 - Feathers for Phoebe by Rod Clement
• 2010 - Little White Dogs Can't Jump by Bruce Whatley and Rosie Smith and illustrated by Bruce Whatley
• 2009 - Pete the Sheep by Jackie French and illustrated by Bruce Whatley
• 2008 - Arthur written by Amanda Graham and illustrated by Donna Gynell
• 2007 - The Magic Hat written by Mem Fox and illustrated by Tricia Tusa
• 2006 - Good night, Me by Andrew Daddo and illustrated by Emma Quay
• 2005 - Wombat Stew by Marcia K Vaughan and Pamela Lofts
• 2004 - Muddled-up Farm written by Mike Dumbleton and illustrated by Jobi Murphy
• 2003 - I don't want to go to school written by Christine Harris and illustrated by Craig Smith  
• 2002 - Mrs Wilkinson's Chooks by Leone Peguero and Mike Spoor
• 2001 - Edward the Emu written by Sheena Knowles and illustrated by Rod Clement

For more information about National Simultaneous Storytime, contact the ALIA team.