Everyone knows a Reading Champion – they’re people who inspire others to get reading. Each week one of our Champions tells you a bit about their favourite reads and what they think makes reading so appealing.

Name: Steve Cole

Occupation: Steve Cole has always liked books: he studied them at university and later on he started writing them too. He has written titles ranging from pre-school poetry to young adult thrillers. He has also been editor of Noddy magazine, and an editor of fiction and non-fiction book titles for various publishers. He is also the author of the hugely successful Astrosaurs, Cows in Action and Astrosaurs Academy series.

Steve says: “When I was growing up, my favourite reads were Doctor Who books, Marvel  comics – especially Spider-Man – and Charlie Brown newspaper strip cartoons. They expanded my vocabulary and my imagination and I’m still reading them to this day. Roald Dahl was great too, of course – Fantastic Mr Fox was one of my favourites.

“I suppose I was inspired to read by the telly in some ways – back in those distant days, the only way you could relive old Doctor Who adventures was through reading. The very first book I ever read was Doctor Who and the Revenge of the Cybermen. I was five years old at the time, and certainly never imagined I would end up writing Doctor Who novels myself one day!

The fabulous thing about books is that you can take them anywhere and get into them at any time. You can just jump into someone else’s world by turning your eyes to a page. Plus, if you’re reading a sci-fi adventure like some of the ones I do, the special effects can be extra-special because you’re seeing them in your head. Your only limit is your imagination.”

Do you think you would make a good Reading Champion? 
Ask your school to sign up today. www.readingchampions.org.uk