"I just want to thank you for your awesome, fun show with the cool message. It is really hard to get a show that does have brilliant messages
like yours did as well as entertain. My year 7/8 class absolutely loved you and we all know how hard it is to get them on side at times.
Also to level a show that involves 5 year olds to 13 years is a challenge, but you did it and you did it so well.
I would highly recommend your show to all schools."
Ann-Maree Parfitt, Assistant Principal, Lower Moutere School
"Thank you for a great Reading Rocks show, this added another dimension to our Lyttelton Main School Book Week! Not only did the students
really enjoy this but so did the staff! We were all really entertained with your skill and wit as well as receiving your message about the importance of reading,
you got this spot on!"
Liza Rossie, Lyttelton Main School, November 2011
"If you want your students to connect the words 'reading' and 'fun' you must show them Reading Rocks. Adrian's the most innovative salesman for reading since Dr Seuss."
Peter Verstappen, Principal, Southbridge School
"Today I witnessed an amazing talent working with our students… comical, educational, inspiring and engaging, Adrian had the entire assembly including staff, interacting with him throughout the entire performance.
A true pleasure to watch the children absorbing his message, that reading can be fun and imaginative. I’m sure all of our 400 students found his performing memorable and with it being delivered in his unique style means the ‘Reading Rocks’ message will not be forgotten.
Greg Fordyce, Board Chair, Fernworth Primary School
""Reading Rocks!" - what a great idea.
Jim Mora, Afternoons, Radio New Zealand National
"In my opinion, and this is supported by our staff, students and parents - Adrian was the best guest we have had at an assembly"
Matt Simmons, Principal, Marchwiel School
"Adrian's strength is his ability to relate to the whole audience from five year olds to adults and to effectively communicate with all of them."
Barry Jury, Principal Waimate Centennial School.
"I would like to let you know you have encouraged one little boy to read! He was at one of your shows in Invercargill last week. I took him to encourage him that reading was fun and not just a subject. Well... last night he was looking at a book and part reading it (his 6) about castles and knights. He said "hey that reading rocks guy was right! you can learn anything from a book!" He then made a castle from the rest of the books, including the moat, he spent the rest of the night in the garage making a sword and sheild. (He was late to bed) Today he is painting a large horse to go with it, and we have spent the morning at the library!
My daughter has always loved reading and now I have a boy who thinks its fun too! Thanks"
Richelle, mum
"This school performance was held on Monday morning for an hour and kept the children thoroughly engrossed while getting across the message Reading is a great skill to have. Just watching the children interacting with Adrian while he was getting the message across was an interesting exercise as their faces went from wonder, don’t believe you, how did that happen, and amazement."
Lindsay Robertson, Geraldine Primary School
“Adrian was the performer at the launch of the Upper Hutt Library Summer Reading Programme. The audience ranged from pre-schoolers to grandparents and Adrian had them all enthralled, embarrassed and entertained!!! We loved having a performer who not only entertained the audience but also got the message across about the importance of books and reading. Thank you.”
Frances McEwen Children's and Teens' Specialist Upper Hutt City Libraries
"Dear Adrian, I first saw you perform as an ambassador for Books in Homes and was impressed with the manner in which you were able to get the
message across to pupils that ‘reading is cool’. Indeed as you say ‘Reading Rocks’! You have now successfully developed your message into an hour long
performance that I have no problem in highly recommending to colleagues."
Brian Tuffey, Principal, Bohally School
"Dear Adrian, Thank you so much for the fantastic “Reading Rocks” show that our whole school enjoyed recently. Teachers and children have
pronounced it a resounding success!! Particularly impressive was the way you engaged the Year 7 & 8 students, who are often too “cool” to participate fully
in outside the classroom activities. They were rocking! The ‘reading is fun!’ message you put across so well was an excellent beginning of the year motivator
for the children. Thanks also from various staff members for the juggling lessons after school! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed your show and your lively company."
Maria Simpson, Assistant Principal, Christ the King School, Christchurch
"Thanks again for your wonderful presentation for our Book Week! You struck just the right note and the kids were enthralled by
your many talents. It was a great start to Book Week and you really spread the message that "Reading Rocks!”.
Anne Woods, Harewood School
"Your show was great - inspirational and highly entertaining."
Eleanor Rudolph, New River Primary School
"[Adrian's] presentation was amazing and the kids really enjoyed his show. Not only was he great but he was able to relate his whole show back to why it is so
important to read."
Sue Baird, Takitimu School
"You are doing the most awesome job!! ... inspiring so many children to become readers."
Robyn Southam, Sales Manager, Scholastic New Zealand Ltd
" Today we had the pleasure of a "Reading Rocks" performance by Adrian Kirk for our Duffy Schools assembly. The principal remarked that
it was one of the best Duffy assemblies she had seen in almost 20 years. Combining equal parts of humour, juggling skill, and persuasion, Adrian built a great case for the message on his T-shirt, "Reading Rocks." By
the end, even the too-cool kids agreed that "reading is cool." Thanks Adrian."
Donald Chandler, Board Chair, Te Tii School
"I like reading because we use our imagination."
"I like reading because it is cool and because you showed us it is cool. So I know it is cool."
Year 1 and 2 students, Green Island School
"All the staff loved your show and I'm sure that on Monday the kids will still be fizzing - learning moments need to be memorable and
yours certainly were. From the moment you were introduced until the final resounding applause you had EVERYONE - from 5 to 65 -
captivated and hanging on your every word (and gesture!). You took reading beyond the realms of reading time and comprehension questions
into the real world showing us that being able to read gives us the power to learn new skills, escape to other places in the mind, and of
course, the ability to make those irresistible chocolate eclairs - who could resist such a temptation! Thanks Adrian, I agree with Emily,
you're so funny, and funny is good! Thanks too for the juggling lesson - the plastic bags are flying at my place.
Anna Williams,
Christ the King School, Christchurch
“Adrian Kirk is an amazing performer who can sell the Reading Rocks message with humour and passion – recommended for all ages!”
Jackie Claridge, Outreach Librarian, Selwyn Library
"A cracker show!"
Keith Hutton, Tahuna Normal Intermediate School
"I was greatly impressed by the energetic performance from Adrian. He captured the interest of both children and adults."
Helen LeMasurier, Fairfield School
"Reading is fun and it makes your brain grow."
Year 4 boy, Halfway Bush School, Dunedin
"Really enjoyed the show and happy to recommend it [to] other schools."
Suzie Ross, Literacy Leader, Broadgreen Intermediate