Premier League stars Theo Walcott, Joey Barton, Tim Cahill and others back childhood reading scheme

Over 100 players having given their backing to the innovative literacy program aimed at getting kids to appreciate books and other physical resources more

26 Jan 2012 13:41:00

By James McManus

More On :  Arsenal FC, Blackburn Rovers, QPR, Joey Barton, Theo Walcott, Ryan Nelsen
Theo Walcott-Arsenal
Getty

Some of the country's biggest names have turned out in force to help launch the Premier League Stars reading scheme, with the overall aim to help improve childhood literacy standards across the country.

More than 100 Premier League players including Theo Walcott, Joey Barton, Tim Cahill and Ryan Nelson are supporting the scheme, which asks each club representative to name their favourite children’s book and their favourite book for adults.

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Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has backed the positive effect he believes the scheme could have on young people.

He said: “The success of Premier League Reading Stars in encouraging children to read over the last eight years underlines the wonderful power football has in engaging young people.

"This new online element of the programme is very exciting because it means many more children and their parents will be able to access and learn from the Reading Stars resources.”

The scheme offers up a mixture of prizes, challenges and videos to its participants. Each star’s recommendations are then assembled to create a mini library from which any child with the internet can gain access to it.

Choices of the player’s favourite children’s book range from The Cat in The Hat by Dr Seuss to Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling.

The favourite books for adults on option are as varied as To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee to David Beckham’s autobiography.

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