Thursday, April 16, 2009


READING IN THE FREEZER’ - WINNING PHOTOGRAPH
CHOSEN FOR JAMES PATTERSON’S EXTREME READING CHALLENGE

James Patterson and the National Literacy Trust are delighted to announce the winner of the ‘James Patterson Extreme Reading Challenge’. 12 year-old James Andrews and his Dad, David Andrews, created their ‘Life in a Freezer’ photograph for the challenge and it’s been chosen as the best photo from almost 2000 entries.
International bestselling author James Patterson says: “I love James and David’s photo. It’s a clever idea and it looks like they had an interesting time setting it up. The great thing about the Extreme Reading challenge is it shows that you can read a book anywhere…in the bath, up a tree, or even in the freezer...and it's great fun!”

The ‘James Patterson Extreme Reading Challenge’ was designed to encourage children to read with their dads / male carers. It is run in partnership with the National Literacy Trust’s Reading Champions initiative which works with over 3000 schools across the UK to promote reading. Patterson wanted to work with the National Literacy Trust because he is passionate about getting boys hooked on books from a young age.

Other entries to the challenge included kids/dads reading on top of fire engines, underwater, while horse riding and even in the shower. The challenge got a fantastic response from children and parents/carers around the country and, as Nick Batty, Project Manager, Reading Champions, points out: “Recent research that we carried out has shown that children respond most positively to family role models, therefore, to see so many children reading with their dads, and most importantly enjoying themselves, is testament to how successful this competition has been and underlines the joy that can be gained through reading together and the benefits it can offer. We hope that those who took part have been spurred on by the Challenge and continue to read with their families, albeit in less extreme locations!”

James Andrews and his dad have won a holiday to Sweden to visit the European Space Centre and even get a chance to spot the Northern Lights.
James’ school, Wilmslow High School in Cheshire will receive £2000 worth of Random House books for their school library as part of the prize.

James will also travel to London to meet the author himself at a special event held at London International Book Fair on Monday 20th April 2009.

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