Aussie Legends goes medieval

16th December 2009

Tom Baddeley and Tracey Gibbs are just two of the talented Fremantle Press authors and illustrators participating in the 2009–2010 Premier’s Summer Reading Challenge.

The Aussie Legends pair joined Education Minister Liz Constable and thirty children for the launch of this year’s medieval themed challenge.

Illustrator Tracey Gibbs said it was a beautiful day and that it was great to see a bunch of children engaged in reading.

“I love meeting kids who enjoy books, they are such fun and always give me a laugh or two to take away,” said Gibbs.

The Minister said the challenge aimed to get children to read for 10 to 15 hours – depending on age – during the six-week school holiday break.

She said it was important parents encouraged their children to read and children who developed a love of reading at home were more likely to succeed at school.
Gibbs and Baddeley, along with Fremantle Press talents Ken Spillman, Dianne Wolfer and Chris Nixon, will run free children’s activities at libraries throughout WA between Monday 11 January and Thursday 21 January 2010.

Gibbs said visitors to her talks could expect to see a bright presentation with lots of pictures on screen as well as original sketches.

“Most of all I like the audience to ask lots of questions – so start thinking of them,” said Gibbs.

Participants receive a signed certificate from the Premier and go into the draw to win a family trip to Broome, books from Fremantle Press and other prizes like iPod shuffles and book lights.

For further information, or an entry form, log onto det.wa.edu.au/readingchallenge

Catch a Fremantle Press author and illustrator at the following events:

South Perth, Ken Spillman,
Monday 11 January 2010, 10.30am
Bridgetown, Chris Nixon
Tuesday 12 January 2010, 2.30pm
Albany, Chris Nixon
Wednesday 13 January 2010, 10.30am
Kalamunda, Tom Baddeley
Wednesday 13 January 2010, 2.00pm
Warnbro, Tracey Gibbs
Wednesday 13 January 2010, 2.00pm
Denmark, Chris Nixon
Thursday 14 January 2010, 10.30am
Cambridge, Tom Baddeley
Thursday 14 January 2010, 10.30am
Walpole, Chris Nixon
Thursday 14 January 2010, 2.00pm
Port Hedland, Tracey Gibbs
Friday 15 January 2010, 2.00pm
Bunbury, Dianne Wolfer
Monday 18 January 2010, 2.00pm
Nedlands, Dianne Wolfer
Tuesday 19 January 2010, 10.30am
Kwinana, Dianne Wolfer
Tuesday 19 January 2010, 2.00pm
Narrogin, Chris Nixon
Wednesday 20 January 2010, 10.30am
Riverton, Ken Spillman
Thursday 21 January 2010, 10.30am

For more information please contact Claire Miller, cmiller@fremantlepress.com.au