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Author Tackles Literacy Crisis with Football Mascots
24 Oct
Summary
- Children's author Tom Watt launched a book series featuring local mascots.
- The books aim to improve reading for 3-to-5-year-olds in Stoke-on-Trent.
- Literacy rates are a concern, with national reading for pleasure at a 20-year low.
Children's author Tom Watt has launched a new series of books to combat declining reading rates among young people. The initiative focuses on Stoke-on-Trent, where the number of children reading for pleasure has reached a two-decade low. Nationally, only 75% of primary school children meet expected reading levels, a figure that drops to 70% in Stoke-on-Trent.
Watt, also known for his acting roles and writing David Beckham's biography, has created stories featuring Pottermus, the mascot for Stoke City, and Boomer from Port Vale. These books are specifically designed for children aged 3 to 5, aiming to make reading more relatable and engaging.
The first book, 'Meet the Mascots,' is illustrated by local artist Matt Buckingham. Watt and Buckingham recently visited a school in Bentilee, conducting sessions with reception-class children to demonstrate the storytelling and illustration process. This engagement highlighted the potential to improve literacy in the area.
Watt believes that connecting with just one book or character can foster a lifelong love of reading. The new series will be accessible through libraries across Stoke-on-Trent, making them readily available to the community.
