New Zealand Book Council Launches Books and Brekkie

Media Release 27 September 2012

The New Zealand Book Council Launches Books and Brekkie:

A programme that encourages children to read more

The New Zealand Book Council this week launched the Books and Brekkie programme which will see schools nationwide able to easily create a multidimensional reading event.

Schools across the country who are members of the New Zealand Book Council will now have access to a blueprint which will help them build an author visit event. The document will assist schools with planning, securing an author, involving parents and even seeking sponsorship for the breakfast.

New Zealand Book Council CEO Noel Murphy says that the Book Council designed this program as a flexible template, which can be implemented and adapted to suit the needs of 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.”

Murphy says that the Book Council’s 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.”

Children today at Richmond Road School in Auckland were the first to experience Books and Brekkie, with widely acclaimed author, Tessa Duder, becoming the first author to be involved with the programme.

“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.

Following breakfast and Tessa’s reading a group of selected students engaged one on one with Tessa in a workshop.

The morning was momentarily interrupted when students stopped to participate in the nationwide ShakeOut earthquake drill. However, some children were surprised to see Tessa under the table with them.

Books and Brekkie is an extension of the Writers in Schools programme that sees New Zealand authors visiting schools around the country. The key difference with Books and Brekkie is involving parents and whanau and bringing everyone together to read in a relaxed environment.

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 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.

Media Information

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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