New Zealand author Tessa Duder spoke at Richmond Road School in Grey Lynn for the first Books and Brekkie event presented by the New Zealand Book Council.

At the launch children and parents were served a choice of cereal, fruits and toast which were sponsored by food company Pitango.

Tessa Duder read from Mahy's The Word Witch at Books and Brekkie. Photo: Melissa Low

Duder then read from Margaret Mahy’s poetry collection The Word Witch (which Duder edited) and answered questions about the writing process from the 10- and 11-year-old children.

Duder says she thought having writers read in primary schools was a wonderful scheme.

“The primary purpose is getting authors into schools. Not pushing their books, but the joy of reading,” she says.

Parent Kerryn Long, who took her sons Adam and Oliver to the event, says before work was the best time for her to visit her sons’ school.

“It’s easy because you just need to get up for school a bit earlier. And after-school can be really busy with a lot of stuff on.”

Long says her children say they wish they could attend Books and Brekkie events every morning.

“Oliver was so excited this morning, he came into my room at 4am and said ‘Tessa is coming!’”

Richmond Road School principal Stephanie Anich says she would love to hold more Books and Brekkie events at the school and would encourage more parents to attend.

“The books and breakfast together adds another twist to [reading] and I think that really helps kids remember the messages better.”