The Open University’s Reading for Pleasure programme has collaborated with 17 other organisations, including The Reading Agency and Department for Education on a Reading Together Day to raise awareness of the importance of shared reading. On 16 July, families, schools and wider communities across the UK will be invited to take part in a host of activities to encourage and celebrate reading, build literacy skills and support wellbeing.
With a full schedule of events from author readings, virtual panels and scavenger hunts, there will be fun for all ages. Paralympic medallist and presenter Ade Adepitan, mathematician Bobby Seagull, Waterstones Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell, poet Joseph Coehlo, and authors Jacqueline Wilson, Konnie Huq and Tom Palmer will be joining the action as ambassadors for the day.Academic lead on the OU’s Reading for Pleasure programme, Professor Teresa Cremin commented:
“I’m delighted to be an ambassador for the Reading Together Day. The Open University’s research reveals that reading builds bridges – across families, classrooms and communities. Reading for pleasure is the thread that connects. Reading changes lives and has many benefits which I’m looking forward to discussing on a panel as part of the day’s activities.”
The OU’s Reading for Pleasure team have created a treasure hunt, summer reading adventure map and a circle of reading video. Teresa will also be joining an expert panel led by Parentkind about children’s reading and ways to motivate your little ones. Live at 19:00 on the 16 July, joining instructions will be announced on Parentkind and The Reading Agency’s channels.
Visit The Reading Agency for a full schedule of events from partner organisation Authors Aloud UK, Arts Council England, ASCEL, BookTrust, British Library, CILIP, Coram Beanstalk, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Department for Education, Dollywood Foundation, Libraries Connected, National Literacy Trust, Pearson, Publishers Association, School Library Association and World Book Day.
