National Year of Reading 2012

Susanne Gervay believes that when story partners you in life, it opens new ideas and community. 'When it was bedtime as a little girl, I secretly took turned on my torch and read books under my doona. Stories were my friends. I was never alone even when life became confusing. The characters within my books laughed, played, cried, celebrated with me and helped me navigate life. As an adult, books are integral to every day. Books welcome everyone from birth to death to participate in the richness of language and ideas. As an Ambassador for the National Year of Reading 2012, I am privileged to promote reading to all Australians .'

What is it?
The National Year of Reading 2012 is about children learning to read and keen readers finding new sources of inspiration. It's about helping people discover and rediscover the magic of books and most of all, it's about Australia becoming a nation of readers.

Goals

Main messages
It doesn't matter what you read – romance and comics are just as relevant as a classic novel. The story can be in any format – books, e-books, novellas, magazines or screen games. Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, graphic novels, newspapers and song lyrics.

Why do we need the NYR? What are the facts of Literacy?
According to the 2006 Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey, nearly half of all Australians (46%) don't have the literacy skills they need to cope with the complex demands of everyday life and work in the emerging knowledge-based economy.

A survey by the Australian Industry Group in May 2010 of major employers found that more than 75% felt their businesses were affected by low levels of literacy and numeracy in the workforce.

The most active period of brain growth and development is from birth to Three. Sharing books with young children before they start school greatly improves their chances of developing good literacy skills.

Tory and Susanne Author tour of Adventist School
Kids reading Jack books
Boys reading

How it works
There will be Ambassadors from all over the country from writers, to comedians, sportspeople, celebrity chefs and politicians, all promoting the wonderful worlds that open to you when you read. You can read more about the ambassadors. Two main arms of the NYR are the public library membership drive from May to August and The Reading Hour on August 25, to reinforce the idea of the benefits of reading for at least one hour a week.

When is the National Year of Reading launch?
February 14, 2012 all around the country.

Where Can I find more Info?
Visit the National Year of Reading 2012 website

Thre are 45 ambassadors and include: