She can sing like a lark, but how well does she read? We’ll soon find out if “American Idol’s” Carrie Underwood can garner as much attention for books as she has for music. According to her publicist, the singer is the latest celebrity to appear on a poster for the Oklahoma Library Association’s “Read Y’all” literacy campaign. The Underwood posters will be displayed in every academic, public, school and special library in the state.
Besides Underwood (a native of the state), other famous Oklahomans to appear on the posters include country star Toby Keith, actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth, actor James Garner, author Dana Dunbar and New Orleans Hornets star Desmond Mason.
“I think Carrie Underwood just represents Oklahoma in such a positive manner,” the literacy campaign’s executive said. “She’s grounded in her upbringing. She’s proud of her state. She appeals to a very wide age range. I think America fell in love with Carrie Underwood on ‘American Idol,’ and we’re very lucky she’s from our state.”
The Underwood announcement comes just two days after my daughter’s beloved Elmo (the wildly popular Sesame Street character), joined First Lady Laura Bush at a White House breakfast honoring National Book Festival authors. The furry red monster was on hand to promote reading… and plug a book written by his puppeteer, Kevin Clash. Out of character, Clash spoke about his book, “My Life as a Furry Red Monster,” detailing his experiences as the man behind Elmo. (I wonder if Clash will bring Elmo along on his book tour? He may run out of hands… unless Elmo can sigh autographs for him.) Washington Wizards player Brendan Haywood and Detroit Shock player Ruth Riley also made appearances… and made pleas to parents to “read to your children.” A singer, a puppeteer, a First Lady, and two star athletes all, climbing aboard the reading bandwagon—make that the celebrity bookmobile.