Birmingham Evening Mail

Young pupils from a city primary school have been enjoying outside help with their lessons with the author-ity of teachers and parents.

Children's writer Ana Fischel, author of The Zartarbia Tales, dropped into Kings Rise Community Primary, in Kingstanding, to read to pupils.

Effects

The visit was the result of a partnership involving the National Literacy Trust and Reading is Fundimental.

It followed a trip by pupils to Borders book store, in the Bullring, during which the children recieved a £5 book token donated by Borders to spend on a book of their choice.

Ana, who met the youngsters at the store before visiting Kings Rise Primary School, said "In these days of computer games and television, encouraging book reading will help redress the balance.

"It is better to get children using their imaginations rather than being brought up on a diet of computor-generated violence which some believe can have damaging effects in later life."

Katrina Woolard, project manager for Reading is Fundimental, said: "Having the support of author's such as Ana Fischel is essential as we try to motivate children to read for pleasure."