NZ books for reluctant readers

Ngati Toa School in Titahi Bay has collaborated in the development of a new series of books for years 4-6 boys who are failing or reluctant at reading.

These are straightforward adventure stories: children having fun, getting into and out of mischief, making good, and saving the day. They involve themes important to children – making money, food, action in a crisis, being heroes, dealing with adults, family life – that tie in with the new curriculum.

The school selected two of its year five and six boys to be the main characters, and worked for six months with a local publisher, writer, and a photographer to develop the series.

Ngati Toa School teachers, board members and children take roles in the stories, along with parents and community members, local fire fighters, the police, para­medics, surf lifesavers, a stretch limousine company, shopkeepers, the Ngati Toa Marae community, and a visiting circus.

All the stories are set in or around the school in places where children live and play. Having read one book and got to know the characters and setting, readers will easily move into the other books in the series.

The books are photo illustrated to lend realism. There are around 100 photos in each book, and they have been shot and laid out to mirror the text.

A map on the inside back cover shows where each of the adventures takes place. The text itself is simple, in short blocks of very short sentences. Two of the books are of the ‘pick-a-path’ genre, allowing readers to control the outcome of the story.

A policy decision was made with the publisher that the stories, settings and characters would be distinctly NZ and not compromised by attempts to internationalise the books for overseas markets.

Statistics:

• Number of books in the series: 12.

• Story length: 24 pages – around 1000 words.

• Availability: From February 2009. A sample book is being sent to every NZ primary school.