Celebrities promote reading

Celebrities, Alesha Dixon, Kano, Noel Clarke and Reggie Yates, who all have urban appeal, are set to appear in a poster campaign to promote reading to young people.

The Passion for Knowledge posters, which have been produced in association with the National Literacy Trust and sponsored by Renaissance Learning UK Ltd, aim to show how much the celebrities enjoy reading and challenge stereotypes of readers.

Strong literacy skills have contributed to the celebrities’ career success; as Noel Clarke commented: ‘Reading takes you to places you’ve never been before. It opens my mind to other ways of thinking. Reading about other people’s life stories and emotions inspires me to write.’

Alesha Dixon said: ‘Reading is pure knowledge. You miss out on a life filled with imagination and experience if you don’t read: so immerse yourself in a book, let your mind soar and dream of the possibilities.’

Director of Passion for Knowledge, Natalie Smith, commented: ‘The campaign, previously called Star Reads, is now in its fifth year and we’re proud to say the posters have reached over 672,000 schoolchildren to date. We believe it is vital that children and young people read as much and as widely as possible because after all, knowledge is power!’

Four A2 sized posters are available free for schools and libraries – visit www.passionforknowledge.org