The New Zealand Book Council Launches Books and Brekkie

The New Zealand Book Council Launches Books and Brekkie:

A programme that takes New Zealand authors to New Zealand Schools

Auckland, [19 September] 2012 – New Zealand school kids will be surprised, delighted, entertained and inspired by some of the country’s top writers at a series of Books and Brekkie events.

The New Zealand Book Council is launching Books and Brekkie in schools around the country as part of its flagship Writers in Schools programme, which encourages New Zealand writers to visit schools and inspire children to read and write.

Book Council CEO Noel Murphy says that their mission is to promote reading and writing, and showcase New Zealand writers.

“The New Zealand Book Council believes that mastering reading and writing from a young age is a crucial life skill that opens up a wealth of possibility for children. We believe that this is fundamental both in terms of reading for pleasure and to enhance the capability of students to navigate successfully the modern world of work.”

Noel says that the Book Council designed this program as a flexible template, which can be implemented and adapted to different schools throughout the country.

“We created Books and Brekkie to showcase the potential of the Writers in Schools programme to bring reading and writing forcefully to life.”

Parents of Richmond Road School have been invited to join their children at Books and Brekkie to hear Tessa Duder, award winning New Zealand author, read one of her famous children stories. She will then conduct two writing workshops for selected students.

“I’m really looking forward to sharing Books and Brekkie with the students of Richmond Road School. What a great way to start a day, talking about why stories and books are so important in our lives! The New Zealand Book Council does a truly great job arranging school visits like these, to foster a love of words and reading,” said Tessa.

The school’s principal Stephanie Anich is also excited about the event.

“Parents, family and whānau provide children with a wonderful opportunity to read in a relaxed environment. This event also tells their children that reading is important, and strengthens the partnership between home and school. We love providing our children with a range of learning experiences that involve the wider community. This would have been a difficult opportunity to say no to!”

To organise a Books and Brekkie at your local school make sure the school becomes a member of the New Zealand Book Council, which can be done online at www.bookcouncil.org.nz.

Membership for schools cost $80 per year and includes an annual school visit from a New Zealand author, advice and templates on the Books and Brekkie event organisation, e-newsletters, quarterly magazines and notes to help students engage with authors and new releases, and access to an online publication with children’s book reviews.

The Books and Brekkie event will take place at 113 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn from 8 am and breakfast will be provided for all attendees.

The New Zealand Book Councils sees more than 50,000 children engage with an author every year and would like to see this number continue to grow.

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About the New Zealand Book Council

The New Zealand Book Council is a nationwide charitable organisation that for the past 35 years has been dedicated to celebrating New Zealand writers and their work, and promoting reading, writing and the love of literature.

The Book council aims to continuously introduce new readers to the wealth of literature New Zealand has to offer.

The New Zealand book council runs programs like Writers in Schools; The Sky is the Limit When You Read; Words on Wheels – Touring Authors Around the Country; and the international program – Celebrating New Zealand Literature on a World Stage.

About Tessa Duder

Well-known local author, Tessa Duder, was born in 1940. As well as her time as a writer, she has worked as a reporter and an editor.

As a writer, Duder has created well-known works such as Night Race to Kawau, the Alex series, and A Book of Pacific Lulabies. She has also collaborated on numerous works with the late Margaret Mahy.

Duder’s works have seen her receive numerous awards, including the Margaret Mahy Medal in 1996, and the 1998 Children’s Book of the Year.

In 1958, Duder won a silver medal for swimming in the Empire Games (later known as the Commonwealth Games).

Having resided in London, Pakistan, and Malaysia, she now call Mission Bay home.

ENDS

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