28 November, 2016

Kids star when they Dare to Explore

Auckland primary school students have brought this year’s Kia Māia Te Whai/ Dare to Explore summer reading programme to life.

Young people who use Tupu Youth Library and Te Matariki Clendon Library have provided the voices for the Forest Whānau of cartoon characters on our website, while the afterschool club at Clendon is illustrating a choose-your-own adventure tale about saving Kiwi’s eggs from Stinky Stoat aka Torirua Haunga.

“Dare to Explore uses fun activities to keep kids reading over the holidays. Our aim is for them to go back to school full of the enthusiasm for reading that comes from increased confidence,” says Auckland Council Libraries youth service development adviser, Danielle Carter.

Registrations are open now at aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/daretoexplore for the free programme that begins on December 12.

More than 12,000 signed up last year, with evaluations showing the majority of parents believed taking part maintained or improved their child’s reading ability.

“Kia Māia Te Whai/ Dare To Explore is a great way to promote literacy while welcoming our newest members with 1,500 kids getting their first library card through the programme last year,” says general manager, Mirla Edmundson.

The activity booklet is available in both English and Te Reo Māori with the activities themed around the legend of Tāne ascending to the heavens in pursuit of the kete of knowledge.

ENDS

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