Posts

IBC

New National Year of Reading launching January 2026

/in /by

Children’s reading is to become a “shared national mission” said Jonathan Douglas, CEO of the National Literacy Trust at the launch of a new National Year of Reading starting in January 2026.

The Department for Education and National Literacy Trust are joining forces on the campaign which is intended to bring together parents, schools, libraries, businesses and literacy experts in order to foster a love of reading for pleasure in children and young people, ensuring all children get the best start in life.  With NLT reports showing a steep decline in reading for pleasure among young people, the Year will build on action already underway to drive high and rising standards in literacy including investing £27.7 million to support the teaching of reading and writing in primary school and targeted support for struggling readers in secondary school, this in addition to the ongoing curriculum and assessment review.

The campaign will feature school and community events and activities supported by a dedicated website and is backed by over 30 organisations so far including Premier League, Julia Rausing Trust, Arts Council England, the Reading Agency and a range of publishers.

Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson urged parents to do their part, saying, ‘Reading holds the keys to so much of children’s education, so the decline in reading for pleasure among young people should sound alarm bells loud and clear.

This can’t be just a government mission. It needs to be a national one. So, it’s time for all of us to play our part, put our phones down and pick up a book.

When parents take the time to read with their children early on, they lay the foundations for strong literacy skills, helping kids to be school ready. By making reading a daily habit, even just 10 minutes a day, we can help give kids the best start in life, as part of the Plan for Change.’

To start the campaign, the National Literacy Trust will distribute over 72,000 new books to children in areas with the highest rates of child poverty to support positive reading habits at home.

Find out more on the DfE website.

Charlotte Hacking considers this issue in the recent edition of Books for Keeps.

Choice and reading relevant to their interests = reading for pleasure

/in /by

The latest National Literacy Trust research into children’s reading habits is out, with its Chief Executive Jonathan Douglas describing the data as ‘stark’ and claiming that, ‘We are witnessing the lowest levels of reading enjoyment and daily reading in a generation – a critical challenge for literacy, wellbeing, and life chances.’

In the sort of gloomy statistics we are becoming used to, the research reveals that just 32.7% of children and young people aged 8 to 18 said they enjoyed reading ‘very much’ or ‘quite a lot’ in 2025 – a slight drop from the previous year, but part of a much longer decline. Compared to 2005, this marks a 36% drop in reading enjoyment.

Over the last year, the decline has been especially steep among primary-aged children and boys, with boys aged 11 to 16 seeing the sharpest drop in reading enjoyment. Children eligible for free school meals (FSMs) also report lower levels of enjoyment (31.0%) than their peers (33.0%).

Just 18.7% of 8- to 18-year-olds said they read something daily in their free time in 2025 – half the number reading daily 20 years ago. Even among younger children aged 5 to 8, daily reading rates dropped by 3.4 percentage points in the past year to 44.5%.

Girls continue to read daily at higher rates than boys, with the gender gap widening to 6.2 percentage points – the largest seen since 2023. More children not receiving FSMs read daily (19.4%) than those who receive FSMs (15.8%).

What counts as reading?

If ‘reading’ takes in text other than works of fiction, the story is more positive. Even among those who say they don’t enjoy reading, many still choose to read song lyrics, news articles, non-fiction, comics and fan fiction in their free time – reading for pleasure is still going on.

In 2025, half (49.3%) of children and young people read fiction or short stories in print each month, with two in five (40.1%) reading non-fiction books. Comics and graphic novels (29.2%) and magazines (21.3%) also remain popular choices in this format. Digital formats dominated in other categories, with song lyrics (60.7%) and news articles (28.2%) mostly read on screens.

‘Young people are still motivated to read when it connects to their interests, when they have choice, and when it feels relevant to their lives’ says Douglas.

The NLT suggests aligning reading with children’s personal interests and media habits to encourage those with the lowest levels of reading enjoyment. Its report finds:

  • Two in five said they were more motivated to read when the material related to a favourite film or TV series (38.1%), or that matched their interests or hobbies (37.1%).
  • Three in ten (30.9%) were drawn in by an interesting book cover or title.
  • One in four (26.6%) valued having the freedom to choose what they read.
  • One in five (22.0%) were inspired by reading recommendations from friends, family, or teachers.

The National Literacy Trust is calling for ‘a multi-sector approach to solve the reading for pleasure crisis and address the long-term educational, social and economic effects of low levels of reading enjoyment with charities, libraries, businesses, schools, communities, and government joining forces to grow a generation of readers.’  This of course aligns with the aims of current Waterstones Children’s Laureate, Frank Cottrell-Boyce and BookTrust.

Read the full report. Children and young people’s reading in 2025

National Literacy Trust research shows children’s reading enjoyment plummets

/in /by

The latest report from the National Literacy Trust research makes for gloomy reading.

Its survey of more than 76,000 UK children and young people revealed that only 1 in 3 (34.6%) 8 to 18-year-olds say they enjoy reading in their free time. This is the lowest level recorded by the charity since it first started surveying children about their reading 19 years ago, and a staggering 8.8 percentage point drop in the past 12 months alone (43.4%)

The research found that the reading enjoyment crisis is particularly impacting boys and young people in secondary school. The gender gap in children and young people’s reading enjoyment nearly tripled in the last year (from 4.8 to 12.3 percentage points), with fewer than 3 in 10 (28.2%) boys now saying they enjoy reading in their free time, compared with 4 in 10 (40.5%) girls.

Reading enjoyment has fallen across all age groups, with those in secondary school reporting the steepest declines. Just 3 in 10 secondary pupils (30.7% aged 11-14 and 29.7% aged 14-16) currently say they enjoy reading in their free time, compared with more than half of primary pupils (51.9% aged 8-11).

The research revealed that when children and young people enjoy reading in their free time, their reading skills, aptitude for learning, wellbeing, empathy and confidence benefit.

Indeed, twice as many children and young people who enjoy reading in their free time have above average reading skills than children who don’t enjoy it (34.2% vs 15.7%). This finding is important at a time when children and young people’s reading skills are cause for concern, particularly for those from disadvantaged communities.

Among the broader benefits unveiled in the research, children and young people who read in their free time at least once a month said it helps them to relax (56.6%) and feel happy (41%), learn new things (50.9%), understand the views of others (32.8%), learn about other cultures (32.4%) and be confident (26.0%).

The National Literacy Trust is calling on the government to urgently form a reading taskforce and action plan with multi-sector partners to address declining rates of reading enjoyment and, in its curriculum and assessment review, prioritise reading for pleasure alongside the skills that are vital in the development of confident, motivated readers.

The charity is also committing, over the next three years, to directly supporting and empowering 1.5 million more children and young people from disadvantaged communities to read for pleasure and develop greater confidence in their reading skills. This will include accelerating the growth of its Libraries for Primaries campaign, to ensure every primary school in the UK has a dedicated library space by 2028.

Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust, said, ‘With children and young people’s enjoyment of reading at an all-time low, and high numbers leaving primary and secondary school without the reading skills they need to thrive, the futures of a generation are being put at risk.

‘So many families, schools, libraries, charities, publishers, businesses, and more, are already inspiring children’s reading in such diverse and innovative ways. But to truly make reading for pleasure a national priority, we are urging the government to form a reading taskforce and action plan with multi-sector partners – amplifying our collective reach and influence, strengthening our impact and re-imagining solutions to this complex crisis.

‘Our dedication to this cause will be unrelenting. Over the next three years, we will support and empower 1.5 million more children and young people from disadvantaged communities to read for pleasure and develop greater confidence in their reading skills. By expanding and deepening our work in schools and communities, we will strive to play a significant role in growing a generation of readers.’

Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Waterstones Children’s Laureate says, ‘We know that children who read for pleasure, and children who are read to, gain all kinds of benefits. From increased vocabulary to vastly improved mental wellbeing. But today’s survey shows that too often as a nation we are withholding those benefits from our children. Over the last nineteen years, enjoyment of reading has dropped by almost a third. These benefits are becoming a kind of invisible privilege. This has gone on long enough. The bad news is that we are at risk of losing a generation. The good news is that the solution is in our hands.’

The National Literacy Trust has also launched the #GrowAGenerationOfReaders social media campaign – backed by authors, charities, publishers and more – flipping the concept of content warnings on its head to instead extol the benefits of reading, as identified by children and young people through its research.

The public are being urged to join the campaign, posting a photo of a book cover, captioned with its warning – for example: May Spark Joy, Could Build Confidence, and High Wellbeing Factor. Use the free social media graphics provided.

The National Literacy Trust has also curated a range of free resources to help families, teachers and businesses encourage children’s reading.

 

‘Happiness Recession’ Latest research finds fewer children are reading for pleasure

/in /by

New research from BookTrust has revealed that childhood reading enjoyment declines as children progress through primary school.

The findings from BookTrust’s family survey data published this week, found that while 33% of seven-year-olds say they ‘love’ reading, this drops to 29% at age 10 and further declines to just a quarter (25%) by age 11.

The survey results come shortly after it has been revealed that while reading achievement for school pupils in England is higher than the international average, it ranks in the bottom third of countries worldwide for childhood reading enjoyment.

Almost 3000 primary school teachers in England were also surveyed by BookTrust. The survey found that teachers’ concern about levels of reading enjoyment among their pupils increases as children progress through primary school. Around 48% of Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 teachers express concern over reading enjoyment levels in their class, this continues to rise to 63% of Key Stage 2 teachers.

BookTrust research shows that children who enjoy reading tend to read by choice more often, for longer, and become more skilled readers and that focusing solely on functional literacy risks depriving children of the wider benefits of reading.

Children who read regularly experience a wide range of immediate and lifelong benefits. These include improved speech and language skills, higher academic achievement, better mental well-being, enhanced social skills, and stronger relationships. Reading also fosters imagination, empathy, and creativity, it’s therefore vital that strategies to promote children’s reading enjoyment are prioritised and that organisations such as BookTrust provide the guidance and support to do so.

Given the widening attainment gap between disadvantaged children and their more advantaged peers over the last five years, it is particularly important that children from low-income and vulnerable family backgrounds receive reading support to enjoy reading during school hours, helping to level the playing field and overcome disadvantage.

Current Waterstones Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce says, ‘When I was a child, my parents gave me a wonderful gift – the gift of reading – that’s why BookTrust’s latest research concerns me greatly. For too long, childhood literacy has not been taken seriously by those in power. Families from disadvantaged backgrounds haven’t had the means or support they need to give their children the enormous invisible advantage that my parents gave me.  As a nation we are seeing an accelerating decline in the number of children reading for pleasure.  We are also seeing an increase in childhood anxiety – a kind of Happiness recession.  These stats are two sides of the same coin.  Are we seriously going to stand by and watch this happen?  Are we going to let this magical gift, which boosts educational attainment and – more importantly – brings great happiness, become a privilege of the lucky few?

‘It’s simply not good enough – and it’s not fair – that Britain currently ranks in the bottom third of of countries worldwide for childhood reading enjoyment. It stands at complete odds with our reputation for giving the world some of its best known stories and writers.

I visit schools up and down the country.   Witnessing the joy on children’s faces when they’re read to is an amazing privilege that is also just a normal part of my working day. As the Waterstones Children’s Laureate, I am committing myself working with BookTrust on my “Reading Rights: Books Build a Brighter Future” campaign.  We want to ensure the joy that reading for pleasure brings is no longer an invisible privilege for the lucky ones.  We want every child,  everywhere to enjoy the transformative power of reading.’

Ruthann Hughes, Director of Research and Impact at BookTrust, said, ‘The decline in reading enjoyment, despite teachers’ hard work, is something we need to address. Shared reading, where an adult or an older sibling reads with a child, is crucial for fostering children’s reading enjoyment. Working with families to help them share stories together at home is time well spent by schools as it will positively impact the children’s attitude to reading. It takes a whole community to make a reader.’

Jon Biddle, teacher at Moorlands Primary Academy in Belton, added: ‘Embedding reading for pleasure is not achievable in a lesson plan – it’s about the ethos of the whole school, prioritisation and commitment. In our school we know the vital role of the teacher in being a reading role model championing current children’s books and knowing their class’s preferences. Time is a challenge, but if all staff engage in regular conversations about books, that becomes the foundation to build on.’

Read Teresa Cremin’s articles on Reading for Pleasure for Books for Keeps

The Red Thread of Reading for Pleasure: Looking Back to Learn

The Red Thread of Reading for Pleasure: Reading Teachers

The Red Thread of Reading for Pleasure: Determinedly Sharing the Joy

Winners of the Reading for Pleasure Awards

/in /by

The winners of the HarperCollins Reading for Pleasure Awards 2024, in association with the Open University and the UK Literacy Association (UKLA), have been announced. The awards recognise and celebrate teachers who are putting Reading for Pleasure at the heart of their classrooms in creative and innovative ways, to inspire children to read.

This year, bestselling author Hannah Gold joined the judging panel as the guest judge.

The winners were awarded across six categories this year, with each category receiving £250 worth of books from across Farshore, HarperCollins Children’s Books, Collins and Barrington Stoke along with 20 copies of Help Your Child Love Reading by Alison David.

Early Career – WINNER: Charlotte Squirrell, Moorlands Church of England Primary Academy, Norfolk

Experienced Teacher – JOINT WINNERS: Chris Soul, Watford St John’s Church of England Primary School, Watford and Imogen Maund, Caldecott Primary School, Oxfordshire and a HIGHLY COMMENDED to Claire Burton-Gardner, Turnfurlong Junior School, Buckinghamshire

School Reading Champion – JOINT WINNERS: Henrietta Englefield, Colfe’s Senior School, London and Kathryn Handley, The Sir Donald Bailey Primary Academy, Nottinghamshire

Whole School – WINNER: Lydgate Infant School, Sheffield submitted by Vikki Varley and Daisy Whitehead

Community Reading Champion – JOINT WINNERS: Cathy Cook, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham and Simon Pollard, St Austell Festival of Children’s Literature, Cornwall

Author’s Choice – WINNER: Steeton Primary School, Yorkshire submitted by Claire Redman

The Early Career category was awarded to Charlotte Squirrell from Moorlands Church of England Primary Academy, who was recognised for her child-centric and diversity-led approach to developing a reading community within the school. The judges were impressed to see such a strong start from a passionate teacher at the  beginning of her career.

The Experienced Teacher category was awarded to two winners: Chris Soul from Watford St John’s Church of England Primary School and Imogen Maund from Caldecott Primary School. The judges applauded Imogen for going on a deep-dive into poetry, enthusing not only her class, but also inspiring the entire school to develop an ambitious plan for poetry.  With Chris, the judges were very impressed with his approach to engaging the whole school with the Storytime in School project, created by Farshore to encourage daily storytime in the classroom, and to extend his influence and experience to other schools. The judges were also very impressed with the school reading podcast.  The judges also gave a Highly Commended award to Claire Burton-Gardner from Turnfurlong Junior School for working hard to broaden the texts that children have access to within their school environment, with author visits throughout the year.

The School Reading Champion category has also been awarded to joint winners with Henrietta Englefield from Colfe’s Senior School and Kathryn Handley from The Sir Donald Bailey Academy taking the prize. The judges thought Henrietta demonstrated how reading can be implemented successfully in a secondary school setting. Kathryn was praised for her involvement of parents in encouraging a reading for pleasure habit beyond the classroom.

In the Whole School category, Lydgate Infant School is the winner. The entry was submitted by Vikki Varley and Daisy Whitehead. The judges said the school would be a great inspiration for other schools, with plenty of evidence-based data used as a springboard for a varied and comprehensive approach to embedding reading for pleasure.

The Community Reading Champion has been awarded to two winners. Both Cathy Cook from Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham and Simon Pollard of St Austell Festival of Children’s Literature were commended for being brilliant examples in igniting change in their communities, with Cathy being described by the judges as a trailblazer.

And finally, the Author’s Choice is Steeton Primary School, chosen by bestselling author Hannah Gold. On her decision, Hannah said ‘I loved the emphasis on creating numerous tactile reading places throughout the entire school. Spaces which undoubtedly lend a more relaxed, comfortable feel to reading – one of the cornerstones of fostering a reading for pleasure culture. I also have to give a special shout out to Eric Shaw for his incredible hard work and dedication. He sounds like a very special person indeed.’

Teresa Cremin, Professor of Education at The Open University, said, ‘These award-winning schools and teachers demonstrate the impact of giving reading for pleasure the respect it deserves. Their investment and involvement in strategically developing positive reader identities has clearly paid dividends. The impact of their work on young lives is evident and warrants both recognition and celebration’.

 

 

Thomas Flintham, Matt Goodfellow and Rob Biddulph Children’s Book Award winners 2024

/in /by

The winners of the Children’s Book Award 2024 have been announced at a special celebration award ceremony.

Congratulations to Thomas Flintham, who is the overall winner. His graphic novel, Press Start! Game On Super Rabbit Boy! won the Books for Younger Readers category before going on to win the overall prize.

The Final Year written by Matt Goodfellow, and illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton, won the Books for Older Readers category, and Gigantic, written and illustrated by Rob Biddulph was the Books for Younger Children category winner.

Owned and coordinated by the Federation of Children’s Book Groups, the Children’s Book Award is the only national award for children’s books that is voted for entirely by children. Past winners include J.K. Rowling, Patrick Ness, Andy Stanton, Malorie Blackman, Anthony Horowitz and Michael Morpurgo, who has won a record four times.

Sarah Stuffins, Coordinator of the Children’s Book Award, says ‘As ever, the children have spoken! And this year they have chosen a brilliantly accessible book that bursts with fun and practically fizzes off the page. Inspiring the love of reading for pleasure – and highlighting its importance to child development – remains a key aim of the award. We at the FCBG are always proud and delighted to help put these fantastic books directly into the hands of children up and down the country. The engagement displayed by the children is always a delighted to see and many, many congratulations to all our worthy winners. And many thanks, too, to every child who voted.’

A dedicated page on the FCBG website showcases all the shortlisted titles. A livestream of the ceremony is also available to view.

The full shortlist for the Children’s Book Award 2024 is as follows:

Books for Younger Children

Gigantic written and illustrated by Rob Biddulph, published by HarperCollins

The Fastest Tortoise in Town written by Howard Calvert and illustrated by Karen Obuhanych, published by Walker Books

The Princess and The (Greedy) Pea written and illustrated by Leigh Hodgkinson, published by Walker Books

The Big Dreaming written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Daniel Egneus, published by Bloomsbury

Books for Younger Readers

Marv and The Killer Plants written by Alex Falase-Koya and illustrated by Paula Bowles, published by OUP

Press Start! Game On, Super Rabbit Boy! written and illustrated by Thomas Flintham#, published by Nosy Crow

Adventure Mice: Otter Chaos – written by Philip Reeve and illustrated by Sarah McIntyre, published by David Fickling Books

Books for Older Readers

Deadlock written by Simon Fox, published by Nosy Crow

The Final Year written by Matt Goodfellow and illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton, published by Otter-Barry Books

Code Name Kingfisher written by Liz Kessler, published by Simon and Schuster

 

 

 

The Federation of Children’s Book Groups was set up as a charity in 1968 by Anne Wood, the Founder and Creator of Ragdoll Productions and the originator of The Telebubbies. It acts as an umbrella organisation for local Children’s Book Groups all over the UK. The groups organise a variety of activities including author events and other activities that promote the enjoyment of children’s books. Find out more and get involved.

World Book Day reveals 2024 £1 books

/in /by

In the week when National Literacy Trust research reveals that children’s reading enjoyment is at its lowest level in almost two decades, World Book Day has revealed the 15 new £1/€1.50 books for 2024.

The 2024 £1 World Book Day selection includes re-imagined classics, adventure tales, picture books and comic book and graphic stories, aiming to give all children choice in what they read.

More than 500,000 children in England don’t own a book, which rises to one in 10 for children eligible for Free School Meals. Of these children, one in five shared that the book they ‘bought’ with their World Book Day token was the first book of their own.

In 2023, over 2 million £1/€1.50 books were gifted to children by booksellers and publishers. A total of 50 million £1/€1.50 book tokens were distributed by the charity through schools, magazines, and partnerships and more.

Cassie Chadderton, CEO, World Book Day said, ‘Encouraging children to love reading for pleasure is our charity’s mission. It’s vital we reach more children than ever, so that every child can benefit from the improved life chances that reading for pleasure brings.

‘We are thrilled to announce an exciting list of £1 book authors for 2024. We are confident that these fun and inspirational books will spark children’s interest in discovering more books and reading for pleasure!’

World Book Day’s 2024 £1 /€1.50 books are:

Picture Books

Greg the Sausage Roll: Lunchbox Superhero by Mark and Roxanne Hoyle (aka Ladbaby), illustrated by Gareth Conway, published by Puffin

‘Social media phenomenon’ LadBaby have created this laugh-a-minute mini picture book adventure especially for World Book Day 2024.

Elmer and the Patchwork Story by David McKee, published by Andersen Press

Charlie McGrew and the Horse That He Drew by Rob Biddulph, published by HarperCollins Children’s Books
Early readers

InvestiGators: High Rise Hijinks written by John Patrick Green, with Christopher Hastings and Pat Lewis, published by Macmillan Children’s Books

Marv and the Ultimate Superpower by Alex Falase-Koya, illustrated by Paula Bowles and published by Oxford University Press

Dinosaur Club: On the Trail of the T.rex by Rex Stone (Jane Clarke), illustrated by Louise Forshaw, published by DK

 

Fluent readers

The Amazing Edie Eckhart: The Friend Mission by Rosie Jones, illustrated by Natalie Smillie, published by Hachette Children’s Group

Onyeka and the Secret Superhero by Tọlá Okogwu, published by Simon & Schuster

Loki: Tales of a Bad God by Louie Stowell, published by Walker

Can You Get Jellyfish in Space? by Dr Sheila Kanani, illustrated by Liz Kay, published by Puffin

 

Older readers

Creepy Creations by Jennifer Killick, published by Farshore

The Doomsday Date by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, published by Usborne

Ireland

Inis Mara by Tristan Rosenstock, illustrated by Mark Wickham and published by LeabhairCOMHAR

The Curious Case of the Irish Yeti: Molly Malone and Bram Stoker by Alan Nolan, illustrated by Shane Cluskey and published by The O’Brien Press

Wales

The new Welsh-language £1 World Book Day book for the 2024 campaign will be announced in November 2023.

 

The Farshore Reading for Pleasure Teacher Award winners announced

/in /by

The winners of The Farshore Reading for Pleasure Teacher Awards 2022, in association with the Open University and the UK Literacy Association (UKLA), have been announced, revealing how teachers have found innovative ways to inspire reading for pleasure in the classroom.

Farshore’s 2022 Reading for Pleasure research showed that in 2021 reading for pleasure amongst children remained low, with only 25% of children saying they read daily or nearly every day for pleasure, rather than for schoolwork, meaning teachers have an even more vital role to play. Reading for pleasure is a simple solution to help with academic attainment, social mobility and mental health issues post-pandemic but the research shows that 64% of 0-17s would rather watch TV, play video games or go online than read books.

This year’s entries saw teachers at schools across the length and breadth of the UK united in a mission to get children and their families reading, despite the continued disruption caused by the pandemic, cost of living crisis and budgetary constraints. Winners were awarded in four categories:

Community Reading Champion – WINNER: Amanda Hanton, Leicestershire County Council Virtual school

School Reading Champion – WINNER: Lucas Maxwell, Glenthorne High School, Sutton

Experienced Teacher – WINNER: Amy Greatrex, South Wilford Endowed C of E Primary School, Nottingham

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Sarah Bell, The Holt Primary School, Skellingthorpe, Lincoln

Whole School – JOINT WINNERS: Georgie Lax, Starcross Primary, Exeter, Devon; and Claire Nelson, Cheadle Catholic Infant School, Cheadle

This is the second win for Georgie Lax after winning the Experienced Teacher category in 2021. In the Whole School category, at her school, Starcross Primary in Exeter, they established a Change Team of passionate teachers and teaching assistants from across all year groups with an aim of increasing knowledge of current and new authors, with a focus on poetry. Ensuring that every child was represented in the books they read, the award judges got a real sense of reading for pleasure being woven into the fabric of the school, evidenced by many projects including staff adding ‘what I am reading’ inserts to their lanyards, pairing older and younger children to become reading buddies and many more truly impressive initiatives. Feedback from both parents and children has been positive, and the school itself has observed that KS1 SATS reading results being 10% higher than in 2019 and the frequency in which KS2 children are changing Accelerated Reader books has increased.

At Cheadle Catholic Infant School, Cheadle, Claire Nelson, the second joint winner of the Whole School award, showed clear aims which she and the school delivered on superbly. Highlights included building teachers’ knowledge of books, diversifying the range on offer, pupil book choice and their great engagement of parents. The judges especially loved ‘The Battle of the Books’ and their recognition of the power of humour and laughter to engage. The school also built links with local libraries and the sourcing of authors from the local community for school visits.

Community Reading Champion winner Amanda Hanton at Leicestershire County Council Virtual school, focused on hard-to-reach and vulnerable children. Judges noted that their My Books, My Story project made good use of reading for pleasure research and was clearly a highly effective way to engage and enthuse children, young people and their foster families with books, reading and stories. The project saw children and young people in care create an exhibition of artwork inspired by books, which was available as a pop-up exhibition in Leicester’s main shopping centre; an interactive online exhibition; and a travelling exhibition in community spaces.

The judges admired many initiatives from School Reading Champion winner Lucas Maxell at Glenthorne High School in Sutton. Lucas engaged pupils and staff through a book award scheme which put children in control of their reading journey and as a result there has been a significant increase in book borrowing from the school library.

In the final category, Experienced Teacher, Amy Greatrex at South Wilford Endowed C of E Primary School in Nottingham built a reading community in school as well as in the home. Highlights also included a class voting system with the use of pebbles which offered easy involvement for young children. The power of choice was also evident, and the judges commented on the impressive range of books and the recognition that reading identity is fluid, not fixed. Farshore’s research shows that children feel more motivated by feeling in control of their reading choices. By having this freedom of choice, children are invested in their decision and have genuine intent to read.

The Reading for Pleasure Awards 2022 judges were Joy Court, Co-founder: All Around Reading; Teresa Cremin, Professor of Education, The Open University; Alison David, Consumer Insight Director, Farshore; Fiona Evans, Head of Schools Programmes, NLT; Cally Poplak, Executive Publisher, Farshore Books; David Reedy, UK Literacy Association; Mike Stirling, Creative Director, Beano Studios.

 

 

About Us

Launched in 1980, we’ve reviewed hundreds of new children’s books each year and published articles on every aspect of writing for children.

Read More

Follow Us

Latest News

Contact Us

Books for Keeps,
30 Winton Avenue,
London,
N11 2AT

Telephone: 0780 789 3369

ISSN: 0143-909X (this is our International Standard Serial Number).