Purrfect story for nationwide reading

More than 700 pupils at Hercules Road State School joined youngsters across Australia in a simultaneous reading of The Truck Cat on May 21, donning trucker caps and cuddling plush toys.

It was the ninth year the school had taken part in National Simultaneous Storytime, an annual event which aims to promote reading and literacy in a colourful, vibrant and fun way.

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 and bookshops.

Hercules Road State School Teacher/Librarian Cynthia Jago says she thinks The Truck Cat was chosen this year because it “shares themes of connection, immigration and identity and missing home and finding home in such a real, compassionate and heartfelt way”.

“This year, I asked our students and staff to wear a trucker’s hat and bring their pet plushie for our storytime and as we read, think about Yacoub and the challenges he may face as a new person in Australia and also of how special the connection is between us and our pet(s),” she says.

“It really is such a heartwarming story, and I love that it has a happy and hopeful ending for Yacoub.”

Each year, Cynthia tries to engage pupils with the National Simultaneous Storytime story by holding competitions in the library and making the event special in some way.

“A few years ago, for The Speedy Sloth, we had a special sloth visitor read to our school. It was our new Principal Trudi Ivens who bravely took to the stage dressed as a sloth,” she says.

“I love the concept of millions of children around Australia all reading the same book at the same time.”

She says resources are provided to support teachers and students to engage with the story, including a reading in AUSlan and alternative communications.

Photo gallery 

By Dominika Lis