The two spokesmonsters join the list of celebrities who are supporting the cause including Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie O'Donnell, Queen Latifah, Robin Williams, Alicia Keys, NY Yankees Johnny Damon, The Miami Heat, NY Giants' Tiki Barber, Mary Kate and Ashley Olson, Drew Carey, Michael Bloomberg, George Foreman and more.

"We are ever thankful that Kate and Trekkie agreed to share their love of books and reading by supporting our literacy campaign," stated Association of American Publishers president and CEO Pat Schroeder. "As lead investor and teacher of the Monstersorri School on Avenue Q, Trekkie and Kate respectively know the joys that books bring to children of all ages. We hope the theatre community will help support and spread the love of words that open the imagination on the page, and on the stage."

Launched in 1999 to promote the joy of reading, "Get Caught Reading" is a nationwide public service campaign now enjoying its eighth year.

"There are only so many papers I can grade before I long to disappear into a little Jane Austen," said Kate Monster. Trekkie Monster adds his love of reading was stirred by an aunt who showed him the works of Maurice Sendak. "I could have sworn 'Where The Wild Things Are' was written for me!"

For more information and to view posters of the many celebrities reading, visit getcaughtreading.org. *

Avenue Q sends up popular children's television shows such as "Sesame Street" and "The Electric Company," while serving up a bounty of pop culture references and solving the mystery of the whereabouts of former "Diff'rent Strokes" child star Gary Coleman. The production bears the warning: "Full puppet nudity, not suitable for children."

The show's creators Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx earned a Tony for their score as did bookwriter Jeff Whitty and the musical itself garnered the top Best Musical prize at the 2004 Tony Awards.

Avenue Q plays at the Golden Theatre, 252 West 45 Street. For more information on the show, visit www.avenueq.com.