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https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/may/16/next-week-millions-of-children-across-the-globe-will-read-this-australian-book-at-the-same-time>
"“They lose the cat, they find the cat again, they fall in love and then they
get a baby.” This is how Clementine, four-and-a-half, summarises
The Truck
Cat, a picture book by children’s author Deborah Frenkel and illustrator Danny
Snell.
On Wednesday 21 May at noon, more than one million children across Australia
will read
The Truck Cat in over 9,000 locations, including schools,
libraries, homes and hospitals. It’s the 25th instalment of the annual National
Simultaneous Storytime, run by the Australian Library and Information
Association (Alia). Last year’s event saw 2.3 million people take part; this
year, participants are registered from countries as far away as Albania,
Lithuania and Italy.
“It’s mind-blowing, really … it’s hard to get your head around how big it
actually is,” Snell says of having his book chosen for the event.
The Truck Cat is the story of Tinka the cat, who travels with Yacoub, a truck
driver and recent migrant who feels misunderstood in his new home. When Tinka
chases after a butterfly, he and Yacoub are separated. Their journey back to
each other brings them love and a newfound sense of belonging, in the form of a
baker named Mari.
With graphic novel-style panels in pastel tones, it’s a gentle story about
immigration, identity and kindness.
“Reading together builds community and literacy,” says the CEO of Alia, Cathie
Warburton. “We hope that children and their caregivers find that the book is a
great way to start important conversations and grow together.”"
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
