SWAN Hill Christian School (SHCS) joined over two million kids across Australia for the 25th National Simultaneous Storytime.
The event was held on Wednesday, May 21, and brought schools, libraries, and communities together nationwide for a story.
The chosen book for the milestone event was The Truck Cat, written by Deborah Frenkel and illustrated by Danny Snell.
As a special treat for the students, the school invited local truck driver Jason Tilbrook for the students to explore his vehicle.
The visit brought the featured book to life by giving students a real-world glimpse into life on the road.
“National Simultaneous Storytime is a national event celebrated and recognised in libraries and schools across the country,” SHCS librarian Sharyn McCann said.
“Today, we have one of our local truck drivers, Jason Tilbrook, sharing his truck with us to give the children a chance to learn about his profession.”
Mr Tilbrook, a former parent of the school, backed the initiative, saying, “I’m here to support the school and share what I do as a truck driver”.
“It’s great to see the kids’ interest and enthusiasm,” he said.
Mr Tilbrook said his work in livestock transport takes him across the country, and he was glad to take a brief pause to engage with the students.
After the story, students had the opportunity to ask Mr Tilbrook questions about his experiences as a truck driver, gaining insights into the daily life of a truckie.
The event gave the students a better understanding of the story and provided a tangible connection to the themes of travel and home explored in The Truck Cat.
National Simultaneous Storytime is an annual event organised by the Australian Library and Information Association.
The event aims to promote the value of reading and literacy using an Australian children’s book.
