Premier readers- Front Brandon, right, children’s author Catherine Bateson with Daniel, and ba

By Bridget Cook
CELEBRATED children’s author Catherine Bateson visited Timbarra Primary School on Tuesday to help celebrate the student’s participation in the Premier’s Reading Challenge.
An ambassador for Premier’s Reading Challenge, Ms Bateson shared tips and spoke to grade five and six students about her love of books.
The Challenge, now in its sixth year, aims to promote a love of reading and encourages students to read broadly.
Students in grades three to 10 are required to read 15 books and students from prep to grade two should read or ‘experience’ 30 books by 31 August.
Students who complete the Challenge will receive a special collector’s edition certificate designed by Graeme Base and signed by Premier John Brumby.
Pauline Smith, from Timbarra Primary School library, said the children loved the way Ms Bateson shared stories about her family and how they helped her with her writing.
“They enjoyed listening to her poems and anecdotes about her life,” she said.
“Some children were not aware she also wrote poetry, but after her visit they are eager to read some.
“She explained the process of writing a book with lofts of drafts and showed her diary where she kept her ideas.”
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan joined Ms Bateson at the school.
He said literacy was such an important life skill and it was terrific to see students so enthusiastic and taking up the Challenge with such enjoyment.
“We want to equip modern students with the skills they need to succeed and shine in the 21st century – and what better way to do it than to foster a love of reading,” Mr Donnellan said.
For more information, visit www.education.vic.gov.au/prc.