Essendon star David Zaharakis was on hand to officially launch the club’s new children’s book Pencil Learns to Fly on Tuesday.

A sequel to the club’s first novella Pencil O’Reilly, Zaharakis presented students at Melton Primary School with free copies of the book and took a reading session with the young children.

Thanks to an enduring partnership with the Melton Country Club, grade two students at every primary school in the Melton region will receive a free copy of Pencil Learns to Fly from the Essendon Football Club.

Zaharakis said it was important to be positive role models for primary school aged-children.

“As players, we understand it’s important to reach out to the wider community and we know that we’re role models for younger children,” Zaharakis said.

“Even just reading through the book with the kids, you could see the enjoyment on their faces and it was really nice to be a part of that.”

Chief Financial Officer Kevin Dixon thanked the Melton Country Club for their donation to the production of Pencil Learns to Fly.

“It was pleasing to see the children at Melton Primary School so receptive to the book and we are proud of the club’s commitment to the Melton region," Dixon said.

“Also, it is with thanks to the Melton Country Club that we could produce Pencil Learns to Fly and we hope children in the future continue to enjoy the read."