Reading programme huge success story

The Tararua Library’s Winter Warmers Reading Programme wrapped up on Friday August 31 with the final awards party at Huia Range in Dannevirke.

A total of 15 schools across the Tararua were involved in the programme involving 1227 primary children, 1020 of whom achieved their challenge of reading five books and doing a review of each.

For the juniors, that involved drawing pictures of the characters in their books but older students wrote about them.

At the start of July participating schools received a box of age-appropriate books for each class from Tararua Libraries, enough for at least one per child. Children were then asked to read five in class and do the review to earn five stickers in their folder and ultimately a prize of a book, a certificate and a book mark. The high rate of achievement reflected the enthusiasm of the teachers, the choice of books and the interest of the children, the librarians said.

The theme of this year’s programme was Climb into Reading and many children took on challenging books to read, especially the seniors who tended to opt for non-fiction.

The award party started with a group challenge to dress one of them as a character in a book using cardboard, tape and other resources. That set the scene for the awards which were really popular.

The programme is sponsored by the Eastern and Central Community Trust.

Chief Librarian Nikki Price said it is a wonderful programme requiring a lot of planning but it is very worth it as children who are not library members get access to books.

Groups dressed up one person as a character in a book. Look for the Queen of Hearts, Willy Wonka and Pinocchio.

Paora receives his book from librarian Alice Leadbetter as Librarian Pamela Allen looks for the next.

(Left): Huia Range Year 4-6 students show their books received for completing their Winter Warmers Reading Challenge.