Award-winning author launches summer reading challenge
Eleanor Updale sets local children off on a Reading Mission
Award-winning children's author Eleanor Updale visited Shepherds Bush Library to read from her work and launch the borough's summer reading challenge - called 'the Reading Mission'.
Children aged 4 - 11 can start their mission free at any local library by picking up a collector's folder, which opens to reveal three missions to test their spy skills and a code-cracker for secret messages. With each visit to the library, children can collect up to six sets of stickers and spy cards and two free gifts to help them accomplish their mission to read six or more books of their choice during the holidays.
On completion, they will receive a certificate and medal. Library staff will be on hand to encourage children in their reading and suggest interesting books for them to try. Reading mission themed story and craft sessions will be taking place in libraries throughout the summer.
Rachel Levy, children and young people's librarian, said: "We hope as many local children as
possible will accept this exciting mission and enjoy a summer of reading."
For more details phone 020 8753 3813. For library opening times visit www.lbhf.gov.uk
Eleanor Updale is the author of the Montmorency series of children's books and winner of the
Blue Peter award for The Book I Couldn't Put Down. The fourth book in the series, Montmorency's
Revenge, was published in May this year. Stephen Fry reviewed the first Montmorency book as
follows:
Montmorency is one of the most original, witty and delicious books to have arrived for a very
long time. At the same time macabre, funny, suspenseful and humane, Eleanor Updale's book for
the young is in reality a book for all. At no time does the prose patronise or the story
compromise itself to second-guess the sensibilities of childhood: instead history, medicine,
crime and adventure blend into a unique and brilliant fable that is set to become an instant
classic.
July 24, 2006
