ALIA's National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) will be held on 22 May 2019, for the event more than 1 million children will be read aloud the same book, Matt Cosgrove's Alpacas with Maracas. To help make the day special, many NSS 2019 events are renting alpacas from verified companies.
Of the uptick in demand in alpaca rentals, Amanda Olthof CEO of the Australian Alpaca Association said, 'The Australian Alpaca Association are thrilled that many of our members have had the opportunity to share their alpacas as part of National Simultaneous Storytime. We look forward to seeing lots of photos of Macca's friends enjoying the story. If you weren't able to spend NSS 2019 with an alpaca, look out for an "open farm" or alpaca show near you.'
National Simultaneous Storytime is now in its 19th year and in 2019 we are set to surpass the 1,062,230 participants of 2018. The excitement seen demonstrates the popularity of the event and the power of reading aloud together.
One Alpaca provider, Maria Marchant of Alpaca Kisses said, 'Alpaca Kisses has seen an increase in library and school visits throughout May/June 2019 which we expect to continue for some time. We have already had a number of events including a childcare centre and a school, where the kids put on a play of the book.'
