For two years, St Mary’s RC Primary School in Cullercoats, Newcastle, invited Alec to be their ‘Patron of Reading’.  The Patron of Reading scheme pairs schools with children’s authors, poets, storytellers, illustrators and others, to raise the profile of reading for pleasure with pupils, parents and staff.

Alec spent his first day at St Mary’s on 6th February 2015, telling stories to all year groups from Nursery to Year 6. 

Even before the visit, he sent pictures to St Mary’s children of his storytelling visits to Thailand, Vietnam and Bangladesh.

He’s been emailing children; writing a newsletter for parents; encouraging children to join the Summer Reading Challenge; donating books; swapping stories; and lots more.  Keep checking this page, where you’ll find more news about Alec’s Patron of Reading work, and about what he's doing to support reading!