Little Angelo's Big Day in Cricket set to thrill young aspiring cricketers and fans

Sri Lankan Cricket Star Angelo Mathews, today, launched a children's book in collaboration with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Room to Read, a global non-profit organisation that aims to promote literacy and gender equality in education across Asian and African countries.

The book titled Little Angelo's Big Day in Cricket, Punchi Angelo (in Sinhala), and Siryuvayadil Angelo (in Tamil) is set to win the hearts of many young cricket fans across the country and help nurture the habit of reading. Designed for early learners in Grades 1 and 2, the book is written by Dayan Senevirathna and illustrated by Aruna Keerthi Gamage. Published in Sinhala and Tamil languages, the book features Mathews as a 10 year old boy who takes part in a nail-biting cricket match that takes him on his journey to become a phenomenal cricketer.

Deputy Asia Regional Director for Room to Read, Tatjana Klein, said: "There is no better way that sports, especially cricket, can inspire children to read and learn. Angelo's is an especially powerful story - one of how courage, determination and fortitude can make great things possible. This book has the ability to transport children to another world, with its easy to understand text and vibrant illustrations. We are proud to partner with the ICC on this important project and hope that children throughout Sri Lanka will get a copy of Little Angelo and that it will have an impact on young lives for years to come."

Commenting on the occasion, Sri Lankan Cricketer, Angelo Mathews said: "I am privileged to be part of a global partnership between the ICC and Room to Read that will benefit communities locally and help instil the essential habit of reading, at an early age. I hope the book will be a source of inspiration to many aspiring young cricketers and fans in Sri Lanka and help to promote the game of cricket among the younger generation."

ICC Chief Executive, David Richardson said: "Literacy and education are so important to the lives of young people around the world, and we are proud to work with Room to Read to help make reading more fun. Involving leading players such as Angelo Mathews, Virat Kohli and Shane Watson in this partnership and promoting it around the ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka is all part of the ICC's commitment to enhancing cricket's positive contribution to society."

The book is part of a long-term partnership between the ICC and Room to Read. It is one of a series of initiatives that will be undertaken around the ICC World Twenty20 to ensure the positive impact of the event stretches beyond the boundary.

Working in collaboration with local communities, partner organisations and governments to develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children, Room to Read aspires to distribute more than 11 million books to children in Asia and Africa by the end of 2012.