Manchester City Academy players have passed on their love of books and reading to children across the city this week as part of the club's World Book Day celebrations.
Seven players from the men's Under-18s and women's development squads made virtual visits to Premier League Primary Stars literacy sessions run by City in the Community at Alma Park, Mauldeth Road and St Wilfrid's schools.
The players highlighted the benefits of reading, read chapters out loud for the children as well as taking questions from the enthusiastic youngsters.
"I enjoyed talking to the children about my favourite book as well as my experiences in football up to now," Man City striker Tai Sodje told the club's official website.
"The questions from the children were great and they were really energetic."
And to further help develop the reading of the children, City in the Community have distributed 50 free books to each of the schools as part of the PL Primary Stars partnership between the Premier League and the National Literacy Trust.
These books will have a significant impact as many households in the Manchester area have no books of their own at home.
"The children were delighted to receive a book each to take home and we will be distributing the remaining books among the classes for everyone to enjoy," said Mauldeth Road teacher Sherie Rogers.
They are some of the 125,000 free books that have been given to schools across England and Wales since the PL Primary Stars programme began in 2017.
"The books mean so much because reading helps your mind a lot, especially when you can't concentrate," said one pupil from Alma Park primary. "So, it means a lot, thank you!"
