MP enjoys reading to local school children "Whatever Next!"

11.23.17am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 7th Feb 2007

Ed Davey MP reading to children

Last week, local MP Edward Davey decided to end his busy week by reading a story to the Nursery Class at St Joseph Primary School. Edward Davey MP wanted to highlight the ongoing National Reading Campaign, Readon,and read the children "Whatever Next" and "A very hungry caterpillar"

Commenting, Edward Davey MP said:

"This was great fun -I never knew that baby bears could get to the moon in a rocket, especially before bathtime!

"Literacy is such an essential skill in modern life but we need to ensure that young children are read to as much as possible - so they learn how enjoyable reading can be. Reading musn't be the forgotten fun, in the age of TV, computer games and the internet.

"Reading enjoyment has been found to be more important for children's educational success than their family's socio- economic status. Reading for pleasure could therefore be one important way to help combat social exclusion and raise educational standards[1]

"All the research shows that reading for pleasure can transform people's lives. [2]

"Reading to the Nursery Class was a lovely way to end a hectic week in Westminster and afterwards I had the added pleasure of listening to the whole school singing at the end of their arts week. A real treat!"