Manukau City Council Libraries are launching a new reading programme for the April school holidays, open to all members of Manukau Libraries. The Great Kiwi Book Challenge will run from 26 March – 20 April, in conjunction with the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards.

“The Great Kiwi Book Challenge was developed in response to the positive parent feedback we received from the Summer Reading Programme.” says Linda Bown, Children’s Services Co-ordinator. “Parents suggested that we run similar programmes during other school holiday periods. We decided to introduce this new reading programme alongside the New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards”.

“Traditionally we have run a children’s art and writing competition to celebrate the awards but with the Great Kiwi Book Challenge we hope to bring the focus back to reading and getting children excited about visiting the library.”

The ‘challenge’ for children is to read three or more books by New Zealand writers. All ‘challengers’ receive their own reading folder, where they keep a record of the books they have read. All completed reading folders will go into a draw where children can win prizes sponsored by NZ Post, Raeco and other local sponsors.

Great Kiwi Book Challenge reading folders are available from all eleven branches of Manukau Libraries.

ENDS

For more information on this article please contact:

Gina Mullane
Marketing Co-ordinator
Manukau Libraries
Ph: 262 5281

Or

Linda Bown
Childrens Co-ordinator
Manukau Libraries
Ph: 2625101