Acclaimed Hawke’s Bay children’s writer and storyteller, Mary Kippenburger, opened the Wairoa Public Library’s summer reading programme with visits to Kotemaori and Nuhaka schools last Thursday.

Ms Kippenburger is known as a riotous and vibrant performer and alongside her husband, Peter Charlton-Jones, they are an internationally renowned duo who wander the globe telling tall stories to small people. They conduct workshops, drama classes, music festivals, present plays and concerts and record music on their Otane property in Central Hawke’s Bay.

Manager of the Wairoa Public Library, Sandra Hughes, says that having a person of Mary’s calibre coming in to be with our children is quite exciting.

“Mary has a way as a storyteller that’s really engaging for our children. It’s interactive and you can see the imaginations of our children being ignited. Her storytelling is dynamic and colourful, and through the art of telling stories we’re able to show that reading is fun, entertaining and enjoyable”.

“Mary’s visit was an excellent way for us to launch and to open our summer reading programme at the Library”, says Ms Hughes.

As we head into the summer months and school holidays, our children tend not to engage in reading. Research has found that a slide in summer reading can account for a month of reading loss in children.

The Wairoa Public Library will once again offer two reading programmes this summer. “This is the 18th year we have run a summer reading programme and we feel it really makes a difference to the children of Wairoa.”

“We have 140 places on the programme ‘Summer – Camping – Reading : Te Raumati – Te Puni – Te Pânui’ is for children from 2 to 13 years old. The programme ‘READ X’ is for teenagers 11 to 18 years old and we have 20 places available for teens. Places are limited and it is on a first come first serve basis. So get in quick and register.”

To register, fill in the registration form, available from the Public Library, in this issue of the Wairoa Star or go to http://www.wairoadc.govt.nz/library/index.htm and submit the form online. Registration forms can be dropped into the library, faxed to 06 838 8547 or scanned and emailed to wrpstaff@xtra.co.nz.

“Our gratitude to the Eastern & Central Community Trust cannot be overstated. Their continued support allows us to offer a summer reading programme that we believe will benefit the children of Wairoa”, says Ms Hughes.

5 July 2016

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