ALIA National Simultaneous Storytime 2026: ‘Luna Roo the Kangaroo Baller’
The National Simultaneous Storytime book for 2026 is Luna Roo the Kangaroo Baller by Adrian Lloyd and Adam Jackson, illustrated by Jake A Minton, and published by Little Book Press.
In collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery the National Library will read the book and present activities related to the book and Angela Tiatia’s video The Matildas 2025. Activities will explore themes of ‘movement’, ‘emotion’ and ‘strength’.
ALIA National Simultaneous Storytime 2026 at the National Library: 'Luna Roo the Kangaroo Baller'
About The Matildas
Marking a pivotal moment in Australian sporting history, the National Portrait Gallery has commissioned a major new portrait of the CommBank Matildas FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ squad.
Created by acclaimed Sydney‑based artist Angela Tiatia, this moving‑image portrait is the Gallery’s most ambitious commission to date, filmed across three continents, five cities and seven shoots. It is the first-ever portrait of an entire team to enter the national collection.
The work captures the joy, emotion, strength and connection that defined the Matildas’ historic 2023 campaign, reflecting the way women’s sport brought Australia together and reshaped how the nation saw itself.
About Luna Roo the Kangaroo Baller
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."
About National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS)
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, family day cares, childcare centres, bookshops, family homes 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.
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