Inspiring a love for reading
‘‘It’s about reading for pleasure, not because a teacher has said you need to finish this book.’’ Sarah Connor
The school library feels like home for Amelia Ferguson.
The 12-year-old Naenae Intermediate student loves reading because it helps her escape to other worlds.
‘‘I like reading about stuff that couldn’t happen, but that I want to happen.’’
Amelia has recently been drawn into one of those worlds, in a story about a sheep station in space, called Docking Season by Jonathan King.
King’s story is featured in the anthology Annual 2, commissioned and edited by Kate De Goldi and Sarah Paris.
It is a book filled with stories, comics, poems, essays, recipes and art, all by New Zealand writers and artists, designed to give young readers a chance to explore new genres.
Wellington charity, the Fledge Trust, has a mission to get 450 copies of the books into low-decile primary and intermediate schools around the country.
It has already raised $18,000, and has sent 367 books off to schools – Naenae Intermediate is one of the recipients.
‘‘There’s never enough money in school libraries, so you do have to weigh up what you put your money into, what will be most beneficial for students,’’ school librarian Lois Fordyce said.
‘‘So when we get these beautiful books freely sent to us, you think ‘yes, this is wonderful’.’’
Fordyce said there was ‘‘so much’’ in Annual 2 for young readers to become engrossed in.
Many are drawn to graphic novels, but could also be introduced to poetry through the book, she said.
Fledge trustee Sarah Connor said the trust had another $4000 to raise before reaching the goal of 450 books.
They wanted to inspire a life-long love of reading in as many children as possible, as well as showcasing the diverse literary and artistic talent in
Annual 2, she said.
‘‘It’s about reading for pleasure, not because a teacher has said you need to finish this book.’’
De Goldi said giving the books to school libraries was key to the goal – because they were places that reduced inequities in access to books.
An award-winning writer, De Goldi said Annual 2 was aimed at 9 to 13 year olds – an age group where children start leaving picture books behind and become independent readers – although any age group might be drawn in.
Annual 2 is based on the Annuals – a series of literary magazines-stroke-marketing books that were popular for kids from the mid 20th century.
The eclectic mix of genres in the imaginative, hardcover book is designed to become a literary ‘‘potpourri’’ for readers, something they can turn back to as they grow older.
Books provided ‘‘time and space’’ travel for readers, De Goldi said.
‘‘When you are a reader you always have a friend, the book and everyone who’s in it, you are never alone.’’