1 April 2008
Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah hosted a Downing Street event to celebrate the National Year of Reading yesterday evening.
Run by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the year-long celebration of books will provide new opportunities for reluctant readers to access support through schools and libraries.
Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families Ed Balls, said:
"I want this year to kick start a change in the way we all view reading and for us all to regain a love of reading and pass it on to the next generation. Parents can be key in leading this renaissance by making time to read with their children every day when they are young and encouraging them to carry on reading as they get older - just a few minutes every day can make a real difference."
Campaigns and activities to boost reading throughout the year will be led by 146 ‘reading coordinators’ working with local authorities.
Suggested activities include employers making their work place more reader-friendly by turning their old smoking rooms into mini-libraries and encouraging parents to spend ten minutes a day reading with their children.
Celebrities are adding their support to the reading drive. Ronnie Corbett, Jon Culshaw, Jo Caulfield and Lee Mack swapped their favourite reads at a launch event yesterday. Meanwhile, Geri Halliwell and Lenny Henry are among those featured in a new TV advert.
Ed Balls explained that this campaign aims to challenge traditional perceptions of where and what people read. "The familiar faces supporting the Year help to show reading can be engaging in all its forms - from books to blogs, while you’re at home or even in a café," he said.
delicious
digg
facebook
