Wendy Milton: Give your child a book for Christmas and help solve falling literacy rates
In today’s instant gratification culture, children have everything they want and the magic of Christmas isn’t quite as magical as it used to be. With homes already filled with gadgets, games and iPads, parents find each year more and more difficult to buy presents for their kids or their friends’ kids because everybody already has everything.
According to respected children’s author and creator of the much loved, Zach Brinkley series, Wendy Milton, books are the perfect gift for Christmas.
Based in Sydney, Milton has already penned 13 books, including her most popular five-volume series of children’s books, Zach’s Stories. Available online from Amazon or at all good bookstores Australia-wide including Dymocks and Angus & Robertson, Milton pointed out that for the child who already has it all, give the gift of books this Christmas.
“Let’s all get behind Aussie writers this Christmas and buy a book or two for kids. Their summer holidays will soon be starting and parents will be lamenting about how hard it is to get their kids off their iPads during the summer holidays. Well guess what, we all grew up in an era without iPads and we survived with our imaginations!” Milton said.
“Books are a fantastic way to bring the family together. You can share the reading and incorporate the book into family conversations. Not only do books bring so much joy into our life, they also create opportunities to share our lives too.”
Zack’s Stories
“My most popular series follows main character Zach Brinkley and his adventures that have a touch mystery to them. Mystery books are always such a thrill to read because of the tension in the story line that keeps you hooked on reading,” Milton said.
“You’re always wanting to just read that little bit more so you can find out just one more morsel of information and maybe — just maybe! — you might be able to piece it together before your protagonist does!
“It’s a bit of a game and challenge! And kids love the thrill of the unknown and making discoveries as well as the challenge of being first to know what’s happening.
“Another thing children like is finding out that there are more books in a series. It’s fun revisiting a character that you already know and are familiar with, so that you can look forward to find out more about what happens next!”
Switchers series and other books
“There are two books in the Switchers series. Rodney Rowbottom is the underdog protagonist who’s relatable to children, but there’s than meets the eye to him. Follow along his adventures as his abilities come to light and find out how he emerges as a hero in this series,” Milton continued.
“I have also written five stand-alone books that boys and girls who love a good read will enjoy. With a bit of the supernatural to spook and thrill you, the mysteries in these books will have young readers turning page after page to find out what’s next.
“This is important when you are buying books for your children, you need stories that thrill and challenge their thinking and keep them on the edge of their chair. This way they will keep reading and look for the next book.”
Festive fun
“Giving books is always a good option around Christmas time. When the holidays come, it’s the perfect time for us to unwind and enjoy our new books. Giving a child a book is like giving them a whole world that they can discover and spend a few good hours immersed in,” Milton said.
“Literacy rates in Australia have been falling steadily for the past six years now, and it’s partly to do with the rise of digital media. It’s high time that we make a big push towards helping our kids remember that reading can be a very pleasurable hobby. This Christmas, let’s all get behind Aussie writers and buy some books for our kids and rekindle that passion for reading.”
About Wendy Milton
Wendy Milton is an Australian writer who has published 13 books. She generally writes children’s books and has twelve titles aimed at the 8 to 12 year old bracket. Her most popular books come from series of five books called the Zach Stories. She also has one adult whodunnit book set in 1970s Australia. Milton lives in Sydney and has a first class honours Master of Arts degree.
ENDS
