Voices under the Sun 陽光下的聲音

The National Simultaneous Storytime 2026 (NSS) will take place on Wednesday 27 May.

Come noon time, “millions of children, families, libraries, schools and early learning centres will be sharing the same story, at the same time, right across Australia,” announces the Australian Library and Information Association.

That story will be Luna Roo the Kangaroo Baller, an exhilarating children’s book written by football veterans Adam Jackson and Adrian Lloyd, illustrated by award-winning artist Jake A Minton, and published by Little Book Press in South Australia.

The visually striking book features rookie captain Luna Roo, who leads FC Outback in an ultimate showdown against Bush United in the Animal World Cup. As speculated by parrot commentators Jeff and Gary:

“It’s fair to say Luna Roo has BURST onto the scene! But what a risk to give the armband to a girl so green. She’s too young to be a captain. She’s not much more than a nipper. You must admit, she looks more like a SKIPPY than a skipper!”

It’s bad enough that people doubt Luna even before she has a chance to prove herself. Worse, the opposite team is rather formidable, with two deadly snakes up front, a “pacey emu” as a winger, and a HUNTSMAN as goalkeeper – “he has four hands and four feet!”

As can be expected, Luna is too nervous to start well. By half-time, she is slowing down and losing control. Then, one of the snakes jumps on her mistake and – “GOOOOOAALLLLL!”

Now’s the time for whoever is reading the story to encourage young listeners to imagine how Luna feels at this juncture. How can she bear the SHOUTS and BOOS? Facing the jeering crowd, what’s going on in her head? Perhaps she shouldn’t have agreed to lead her team? Perhaps she doesn’t belong? How is she ever going to finish the game?

“Luna shakes off her doubts and musters strength from within. She must show she’s a leader and inspire the team to win. Huddled together, her team absorbs her rousing speech. ‘WE GO AGAIN! The victory is well within our reach!’”

As for how the game will end – well, you just have to read the story to find out.

This is a book that will surely transform a cosy, relaxing children’s storytime into an electrifying, fist-pumping football game broadcast. Considering it was published in August 2025, straight after the Matildas competed in the Women’s Asian Cup and the Socceroos qualified for their sixth consecutive FIFA World Cup, football is still front of the mind for numerous families across Australia.

“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 everyday,” explains the NSS Selection Panel.

“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.”

This book review was originally titled “Kicking goals to defeat self-doubt” and published under the title “Goals to keep the self-doubt” by Ranges Trader Star Mail, May 26, 2026, P.13.