Stars to back reading for Black History Month
Harvey from So Solid Crew and BBC presenter Reggie Yates are among the celebrities promoting reading on a new set of posters to celebrate Black History Month. The posters have been produced by Passionet, the UK’s largest online multicultural bookstore, and the National Literacy Trust.
The stars are taking part in the Passionet Star Reads campaign, which will be launched for Black History Month to help encourage young people to read – particularly those from black and ethnic minority communities. The posters are available in a set of six and come with recommended reading lists of urban and multicultural books designed to appeal to 5-8 year-olds, 9-11 year-olds and 11-14 year-olds.
Passionet’s Managing Director Natalie Smith comments, “Over the three years that Passionet has been around, we have run workshops in schools and worked in communities nationwide. We are committed to encouraging young people to read books that reflect their lives and interests and get them excited and inspired about reading, and Star Reads is an opportunity to do just this.”
Director of the National Literacy Trust Neil McClelland adds, “By teaming up with celebrities, Star Reads can help to inspire young people to become lifelong readers. We are delighted that these stars have given their time to help reach out to young people in this innovative way.”
The posters can be ordered online at www.starreads.org from 11 September 2006. The first 1,000 sets ordered are available at the special Star Reads price of £12.99; sets are priced £15.99 thereafter.
Images are available on request. For more information contact: Natalie Smith, email: [email protected] or tel: 020 8766 5832 Katy Mahood, email: [email protected] or tel: 020 7828 2435.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
1. About Star Reads Passionet Star Reads is a campaign featuring influential urban role models. It features: Reggie Yates, BBC 1 presenter Aml Ameen, actor (The Bill and Kidulthood) Keisha White, singer Chucky Venice, actor (Footballers’ Wives) Harvey, rapper, So Solid Crew The stars appear on a set of posters that aim to encourage young people to read, which have been produced to coincide with Black History Month. The posters, available from Monday 11th September 2006 in a set of six, will be accompanied by reading lists for ages 5-8 years, 9-11 years and 11-14 years. The posters can be ordered online at www.starreads.org. The first 1,000 sets ordered are available at the special Star Reads price of £12.99; sets are priced £15.99 thereafter.
2. About Passionet Passionet has continued to grow and expand into a diverse and exciting multicultural book provider, creating and developing unique ways which allow parents, youth leaders, librarians and teachers alike to actively encourage reading. We are committed to offering young people books with subjects and topics of interest to fuel their enthusiasm for reading. At Passionet we realise how important it is to get today’s urban and ethnically diverse youth excited, inspired and motivated to read. www.passionet.net
3. About the National Literacy Trust The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity dedicated to building a nation in which everyone enjoys the skills, self-esteem and pleasures that literacy can bring. It is the only organisation concerned with raising literacy standards for all age groups throughout the UK. www.literacytrust.org.uk