Talented young mystery writers put pen to paper
Community group supporting youth literacy efforts
Who knew there were so many mysterious carryons at the library and who knew there were so many talented young authors in Te Awamutu?
Well, Altrusa Te Awamutu found plenty when it held its Mystery at the Library story competition.
Entries were received from 7 to 10 and 11 to 13-year-olds. The standard of story writing and the imagination of the authors was evident, making judging quite a challenge.
After much deliberation winners were found and announced on September 30 at the Te Awamutu Library.
The winners were - 7-10-year-olds: first place Hayden Williams, second Payton Dent, third Lyana Collins.
Eleven to 13-year-olds: first place Corey Powell, second Monica Wright, third Amelie B.
Local children’s author Amy Harrop presented the certificates and prizes to the winners. Amy also read her wonderful story Who took the Toilet Paper earlier in the morning at the Altrusa reading event, Teddy’s Day Out, alongside other storytellers and actors from Altrusa at the Te Awamutu library.
Many thanks to the library staff for their help on the day, Paper Plus for discounted books for prizes, and of
course all the children and teddy bears that attended.
This is part of the Altrusa Te Awamutu’s Literacy Committee’s ongoing support of literacy within our community.
Projects include Books for Babes, where a book is provided for every
newborn at Te Awamutu Birthing and Bright Boxes, an initiative to provide a range of books in English and Māori to children of all ages who might otherwise have difficulty accessing them.
These can be accessed at small recirculating libraries (Bright Boxes)
at Plunket and Loving Arms (newborn and toddlers), Women’s Refuge, Kainga Aroha and Māori Women’s Welfare League (older children).
Altrusa Te Awamutu says it is getting very positive feedback from the community about the availability of these resources.