Published: Thursday, 28th May, 2009 7:00am

Fonz has happy day in Dunbar

Legendary TV actor Henry Winkler, "The Fonz" from hit US sitcom Happy Days, visited Dunbar Primary School last Wednesday in a bid to promote reading.

The iconic actor - who personified cool throughout his decade on the popular television show - has ventured into the world of children"s literature in recent years, creating lead character Hank Zipzer who reflects his own struggle with dyslexia.

Despite Happy Days being wound up before most of Dunbar Primary"s pupils were born, a flurry of excitement filtered through the school at the arrival of Fonzie.

Headteacher Helen Gillanders confessed that staff may have been more star struck by their famous visitor than her young pupils.

'Some of the kids did not have a "scooby" who he was but all the staff were very excited indeed,' she said.

'We can all remember the Fonz and the pupils may have gathered from the staff reaction that we do not normally get really famous people coming to the school!

Winkler"s visit, suggested to the school by Borders Books and organised through national children"s newspaper First News, forms part of the successful author"s drive to publicise his new novel about Hank Zipzer, dubbed the "World"s Greatest Underachiever".

The lead character is based on the 63-year-old"s own experiences with dyslexia growing up.

'He (Hank) is me actually, he is taken from my life,' he said.

'The fact of the matter is, I was not good in school.

'He bumps up against my learning challenges, my dyslexia, but we make the kids laugh first.'

During the hour-long visit, Winkler read extracts from his latest offering and pupils quizzed him on how to write their own books.

Pupils will each prepare a news report in class following the visit.

Mrs Gillanders added: 'Hopefully this will act as a springboard for the kids to get involved in reading.

'There"s a real buzz about reading at the moment.'