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Otago Daily Times

Books Alive programme to make return

Project manager Pauline Smith shows a book by author Dahlia Malaeulu, who is coming to the Books Alive event in Invercargill next week. PHOTO: NINA TAPU The Books Alive programme returns to the Deep South next week. Hundreds of Southland pupils will get to meet some of New Zealand's best children's authors at two events in Invercargill. Claire Mabey, Dahlia Malaeulu, Juliette MacIver and Li Chen will discuss their books and connect with their readers during a public visit at the Invercargill Public Library and a school session at the Centre Stage Theatre. The authors are finalists for the New Zealand Book Awards For Children and Young Adults (NZCYA). Invercargill author and award-winning writer Pauline Smith said the programme allowed the students to get into the heads of the writers. "For any children who love reading and love writing, to get up close with an actual published author is a really good opportunity," Ms Smith said. "They can hear [about] how they went through the process, what it took, and see themselves as future authors and illustrators." She said the stories that came from the diverse ethnicities within the group of authors would leave an impression on young Southland readers. "We've got a range of backgrounds and ethnicities including a Pasifika author [and] a person of Chinese descent, so that's nice for all kids, but [especially] for kids of those ethnicities to see themselves in the future in those positions [as authors]." A free adult-focused session will be held at the Invercargill Public Library next Tuesday, followed by the school session taking place at the Centre Stage Theatre on July 30.