40,000 copies

Brezina wrote a book for Burgenland schoolchildren

Brezina and Winkler handed over the first copies of the "Flying Castle".(Bild: Landesmedienservice/Siess)

The well-known children's author Thomas Brezina has written his own book for schoolchildren in Burgenland to inspire them to read. He personally handed over the first copies.

Who doesn't know him? Thomas Brezina is one of the most successful authors of books for children and young people. As part of the "Reading-Writing-Understanding" project launched by the Directorate of Education last year, the author has written his own book for Burgenland schoolchildren to encourage their enthusiasm for reading.

Around 40,000 copies will be distributed
The first copies of "The Flying Castle" have now been distributed to the children at Weiden am See elementary school together with Daniela Winkler, the Burgenland Minister of Education. In the coming weeks, the other elementary school, kindergartens and special schools will also receive the books. Up to 40,000 books are to be distributed by the 2027/2028 school year.

Reading as an adventure
"For me, the most important thing is to inspire children and show them what is going on around them. Reading should be an adventure that you can immerse yourself in," says Brezina. "The Flying Castle" is set in Burgenland and comprises three volumes that build on each other and are aimed at different age groups.

The books are published by lex list 12.(Bild: Landesmedienservice/Siess)

Animals and castles
It is about five unusual animals that live in a castle and are not accepted by the others. The books are interactive and readers can become part of the story.

From the last year of kindergarten
"I am delighted that we have been able to persuade Thomas to be part of a nationwide and sustainable reading initiative and to write his own book for the children of Burgenland," explains the Provincial Councillor. She is convinced of the positive effect of reading aloud. "That's why we decided to start with kindergarten children and extend the project to children in the last compulsory year of kindergarten," says Winkler.

All volumes in series
Children attending the last year of kindergarten this year and next year will receive all three books in series. In the coming weeks, the kindergarten children, elementary school pupils and ASO pupils will each receive the corresponding book as a gift, as will the teachers who work in these groups and classes.