Special guests reading to kids

It's not often you get to hear Hairy Maclary read to you by the woman who dreamed up the mischievous characters.

Next week children and parents will have the opportunity to do just that.

A Pop Up Reading Room will appear on Grey St under the tree outside Books a Plenty.

Mainstreet Tauranga has organised well-known locals to read popular children's books at the spot from Monday to Saturday next week.

Steamers players Pingi Tala'apitaga, Caleb Hall and Keepa Mewett will read from noon until 1pm on Wednesday while Dame Lynley Dodd will read from some of her favourite Hairy Maclary books from noon until 12.15pm on Saturday.

Mainstreet manager Sally Cooke said Mainstreet Tauranga liked to do something different each school holidays to give parents something to do with their children.

"The Pop Up Reading Room is a great way to encourage the joy of reading in children," she said. "It's nice and novel and something different for the kids. It'll be fun."

Outside of the reading hour the public can come along and enjoy the space. For information visit www.downtowntauranga.co.nz/whats-on for a full list of readers.