Catch That Fly! » Reading

What’s for Lunch? Food Education Program

Amy Burrell — Sun, 16 Mar 2014 23:07:49 +0000

This is a picture of some enthusiastic young readers who are very excited about their new book. St Anne’s School are the currently leading the way for the rest of New Zealand with their participation in a new food education program I have developed called ‘What’s for Lunch?’

The program works with the primary school curriculum to teach children about making healthy choices. The pupils learn about a new healthy food mainly vegetables every week through an interactive story, science experiment, recipe and worksheet. The program launched at the beginning of 2014 and is in use in many schools throughout the lower north island.

Hutt Hospital – Children’s Ward

Amy Burrell — Sun, 16 Mar 2014 22:37:58 +0000

During the Christmas holidays I had the pleasure of a tour of the Hutt Hospital Children’s ward by a very cool nurse called Steph Beddis. The ward has been decorated as a tree hut featuring New Zealand Birds and trees, it is just such a magical place. I must congratulate the staff and everyone involved with this amazing makeover because you have done a great job.

http://www.thetreehutt.org.nz/wordpress/

The reason for my visit was to donate some books to the children who were spending their Christmas in hospital. This was such a lovely experience as I often struggle to see a way I can help those in need during the holiday season. I am now at the stage in my life where I actually have a product that can help in a unique way. My story will be used to distract and ease the pain for many children who are having a tough Christmas.

Oldest Reader at 98 Years Old

Amy Burrell — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 06:19:43 +0000

I would like to congratulate my Grandma, Rita Burrell on turning 98 years old. On her birthday I found she keeps her copy of ‘Catch that Fly!’ in her bedside draw and reads it regularly. Suffering from dementia she struggles to remember who I am and everyday things. However I discovered she knows every word of my book by heart. While reading to her she was finishing sentences for me and nodding her head as if to say “yeah, that’s what happens.”

What is also very cool is that the grandma in the book is a lot like her in characteristics. I wonder if she realizes I based the character on her.

Throughout my life she has been an amazing role model and inspiration to me and I am like her in so many ways. I hope I too live to see 98 years old and am as great as her. Happy Birthday Grandma Burrell!

Maoribank School Visit

Amy Burrell — Mon, 27 May 2013 06:50:26 +0000

On the 24th of May I visited the awesome kids at Maoribank School in Upper Hutt. On my arrival I walked through the playground and was welcomed by a group of kids playing ball games. ‘Your book is awesome Miss” they said to me as I walked through to the hall/classrooms. I stood beneath the most amazing maori sun that had been created by the students at some stage I presume. While we fussed about trying to get the interactive whiteboard to work, the students filed in. I then noticed they had bought some friends with them “Flies!’ Not just any kind of flies, beautifully decorated flies in all different colours, such a great idea.

After talking a bit about what I do, we read the book aloud, I say we because all the children helped me! What talented little readers, they were able to keep up with me through the entire book, some even read it faster than me. I then got cracking, drawing some pictures on the whiteboard, the children were great at helping me figure out what to draw next. I had to draw a plait with my first drawing, a rat’s tail with my second drawing and an entire beard with my last drawing, oh what fun.

After my visit I came home with a pile of colouring in competitions to judge. This is always a tricky task as there are so many talented artists at Maoribank School. I had such a hard time picking my favourites! But it had to be done and the two winners used a lot of bright vibrant colours and were creative in their approach. A big CONGRATULATIONS to Nathan age 6 and Sapphire age 9. Well done! Your prize is on its way to Maoribank School.

Thank you so much for having me Maoribank School! Keep up the great artwork:)