Reading and Rugby - a winning combo!

Earthquakes have not daunted Christchurch children’s appetite for reading.

Four weeks into the 2011 Reading Crusade, Christchurch City Council Libraries has received more than 2000 entries from individuals and school groups vying to win weekly rugby prizes and books through good reading habits.

The crusade encourages children aged between five and 13 to read six books, fill in their own personal reading log, and register online to be in to win prizes such as iPods, Crusaders jerseys and Paper Plus vouchers. A hundred young readers will be able to meet some of their favourite Crusaders at the prize-giving on Tuesday 31 May. Schools can also enter.

Carolyn Robertson, Christchurch City Council Libraries Manager, says the innovative crusade, designed to promote literacy, is developing local children’s love of reading.

“Our relationship with the Canterbury Rugby Football Union has gone from strength to strength through the shared vision of this competition, and we hope to see many more Crusades in the future,” Carolyn Robertson says.

Christchurch City Libraries and MoreFM, the official radio station of the Crusaders, have been visiting Christchurch schools to promote the Reading Crusade.