Kaikoura’s kids to learn from top New Zealand authors

14.03.12
Media release
Kaikoura’s kids to learn from top New Zealand authors

Paper Plus Kaikoura is celebrating New Zealand Book Month by teaming with top Kiwi authors to challenge the district’s primary school children - all 500 of them - to collate their very own book, with proceeds from the sales going back into the schools.

New Zealand’s prominent children’s authors including Gavin Bishop, Joanna Orwin, Hayley Pitts and Rachel McRae-Woods will be on-hand at Kaikoura Primary School and St Josephs School to provide handy tips for writing, while inspiring the children to put into words and images, what Kaikoura means to them.

Mark Fissenden, owner of Paper Plus Kaikoura says that New Zealand Book Month is the perfect opportunity to educate the younger generation about the importance of books.

“Kaikoura’s children are eager to learn about what makes their town so beautiful. The authors guiding the children will teach them invaluable reading and writing skills, whilst further stimulating their interest in the region,” he says.

The two largest primary schools in Kaikoura, where the authors will be present, have opened their doors to all other smaller regional schools, as well as to preschoolers and parents, ensuring a wide audience and fantastic learning opportunity for all involved.

Celebrating the value of reading, each educational session will take two hours, after which each class from every participating school will write and draw one chapter within the book, very much a creative effort by all 500 local school kids.

New Zealand Book Month runs throughout March and as part of the “Books Change Lives” campaign, NZBM are offering a $5 voucher on all books over $10. Make sure you head into your local Paper Plus or Take Note store to redeem your vouchers – they’re valid until 31st March 2012.

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About Paper Plus
The Paper Plus Group began 28 years ago and is one of New Zealand’s largest stationery and book sellers. The Group incorporates three separate retail brands: Paper Plus, which has 106 stores; Take Note with 48 stores; and Office Spot with two stores, all offering a great range of stationery, books, magazines, cards and gifts to New Zealand consumers. There is a Paper Plus store in most towns from Kaitaia to Invercargill. It is the only New Zealand book and stationery retailer with Fly Buys.
Notes to Editors:
Gavin Bishop: Author of ‘The House That Jack Built’ and ‘Bruiser’ Gavin Bishop was born in Invercargill and has exhibited his art internationally. His awards for illustration include the prestigious New Zealand Children's Book of the Year. Since 1981, Gavin has both written and illustrated numerous picture books that have been successful in both New Zealand and abroad.
Joanna Orwin: Joanna Orwin lives in Christchurch and has written several novels for both young adults and children, including ‘Owl’ and ‘The Tar Dragon’. Her achievements in the industry have been vast, and include receiving the top prize for the Senior Fiction Award in 2002 and Book of the Year Award.
Hayley Pitts: Children’s author Hayley Pitts lives at Mount Gladstone Station in Marlborough, South Island. She combines her love of writing with home-schooling her two young boys. Her recent works include ‘Storm: A High Country Mustering Horse’ and ‘Mac: A High Country Working Dog.’
Rachel McRae-Woods: Rachel McRae-Woods recently published her first book titled ‘The Flying Pony Girls Save Christmas’. The book is collaboration between Rachel and long-time friend, Paula Cunniff. The children’s book was published through McRae-Woods' company Creative Frog Design and Print.

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