01/12/2009 - Tim supporting The Kids' Lit Quiz

The Kids' Lit Quiz is an annual literature competition for children aged 10 to 13. The quiz has heats in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, South Africa and China. Winning teams qualify for national and world finals. Since its inception in 1991, thousands of students have participated each year throughout the world.

The Kids' Lit Quiz motivates and inspires children to read a wide range of children's literature from the classics to the contemporary, from nursery rhymes to comics, and from folk tales to myths. It offers children rewards they may not otherwise experience in the classroom setting.

Fifteen teams of youngsters competed in the UK National Final held on Friday 27th November 2009 at the Oxford Town Hall. Harry Enfield was one of the special guests. Also present were the Lord Mayor of Oxford and dignitaries from the Oxfordshire County Council.

Tim attended the National Final and was one of two authors attached to the team from Wheatley Park School. He was interviewed by the team as part of their preparation for the Final. At the end of the afternoon the top six teams were separated by only two points. Sudden death questions were needed to separate the top four teams; however Wheatley Park School was the clear National winner. Second place went to the City of London School for Girls, third was the Lancaster Royal Grammar School and fourth was Mary Erskine School from Edinburgh.

Tim wrote to the boys from Wheatley Park School afterwards and said, 'I was so impressed by your achievement and feel terribly proud to have been one of the writers attached to your team. Well done, all four of you. You deserve all the praise in the world. Good luck in the next round but whatever happens there, you can hold your heads up because yesterday you were THE BEST.'

Further information can be seen at Kids’ Lit Quiz