Team Read

I was in Rochdale Library yesterday. Only 10 miles from home. Helping them to launch their Team Read programme.

Team Read is the 2008 Summer Reading Challenge, run by the Reading Agency. The idea is that all children age 5 to 11 are challenged to read 6 books during the summer holidays. This year the theme is sport: which is why it's called Team Read.

In previous years it's been called the Reading Mission and the Big Wild Read.

Ray Stearn at Rochdale Libraries had a good idea to spread the word about Team Read. Instead of going into all the schools to tell children about it, they got the children to come into the library. Four kids from all Rochdale's schools came in with a teacher - for an event with me yesterday and poet Craig Bradley* today. Then the kids go back to their schools to act as ambassadors to their schoolmates.

Ray went in goal for the Football Reading Game. He did well. After only letting in 30 or so of 120 shots, he was re-named 'Ray the Cat.'

You can find out about Team Read at any library in the UK.

* Have a look at poet Craig Bradley's website http://www.craigbradley.com/. I admit he's a friend. But everyone I've recommended him to has been extremely happy with him.