AS PENARTH’S Book Festival nears, local author Dan Anthony has lent his support to an UK-wide reading campaign to get all 11 year olds reading well by 2025.

Penarth writer Dan Anthony will feature during the third annual Book Festival being held from October 13-19.

The coalition called Read On.Get On. includes leading charities, organisations and teachers and sets out to encourage everyone to play their part to get children reading well to ensure them a brighter future.

Dan Anthony is among ten Welsh children’s authors to take part and has written a poem called ‘The Dragon and the Daisy’ which can be read on the website readongeton.org.uk.

Dan Anthony says: “I write children's books and loved reading when I was young. I also work in primary and secondary schools throughout the country encouraging young people to read and create their own stories. As well as building confidence and knowledge and being essential for learning, it's a pleasure and a gateway into our inner lives which we should never overlook. Reading gives us independence.”

Read On.Get On. Wants to encourage every child to read after figures released by Estyn 2010-11 report showed four in ten 11 year olds have a reading age below their actual age.

Not only can parents and children enjoy the Penarth Book Festival and see Dan Anthony but on Thursday, October 30, Save the Children will host a free event at Wales Millennium Centre.

Over the day a wide range of famous faces and special guests will be around including the Gruffalo and Winnie the Witch will be popping in to meet fans.

For further information on Read On.Get On and how to get involved, visit www.savethechildren.org.uk/reading and www.readongeton.org.uk.