Mayoral Reading Challenge Coming in May

Rodney libraries are launching their seventh annual reading challenge during May which is aimed at improving the literacy skills of local children.

Rodney Mayor Penny Webster is leading ‘Mayor Penny's Reading Challenge’ which encourages children to ‘read for half an hour a day during the month of May.’

Last year 32 Rodney schools took up the challenge to participate, and the event is expected to be popular once again this year.

Mayor Webster is a strong supporter of the challenge, and says that as winter approaches and the nights get darker, reading in bed is a great way to keep warm.

This May she will be visiting Rodney schools to promote the challenge, the benefits of reading and to share stories with school pupils.

It’s simple to take part in the challenge and children can enter through their school or at a Rodney Library. Entry is open to children in Years 1 – 8. Children just need to read for half and hour a day during May and have their reading verified by a parent, caregiver or teacher. Reading can be done at home, at school or anywhere else. Sharing stories can be a fun family activity involving parents, grandparents and children.

Children who visit one of the seven Rodney Libraries and take books out twice during May also get an extra entry into the prize draw.
All children who complete the challenge will receive a certificate and will go into a prize draw to win a bike or other prizes.

The reading challenge is supported by the following sponsors: Free Ride’n - Huapai, Lions Clubs of Orewa, Whangaparaoa Rotary and Warkworth Rotary.