At LoveReading4Kids, we believe books should be a source of joy and discovery for every child. But a new national report from the Reading Rights Coalition has sounded the alarm: many children across the UK are losing their passion for reading, and it’s not their fault. BookTrust and the Waterstones Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce have launched Reading Rights: Books Build a Brighter Future. The report calls for national provision so that every child has access to books and reading from their earliest years. It calls on national and local leaders in early years, health, education and culture to come together to make reading a part of daily life for every child in the first seven years of life. 

The Reading Rights Interim Report (Spring 2025) offers a compelling, and at times sobering, snapshot of the state of children’s reading in England. This report has been inspired and informed by the Reading Rights Summit, held in Liverpool on 22nd January 2025, which brought together expert voices across the political, education, literacy, early years, arts, library and health sectors. Based on insights from thousands of young readers, parents, carers, teachers and librarians, it reveals deep concerns about equity, access and engagement.

Frank Cottrell-Boyce’s Foreword – A Call to Reclaim Childhood Through Storytelling

In his powerful foreword, Waterstones Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce reflects on his journey visiting communities across the UK where shared reading is transforming lives. From prisons to family hubs, he shares how reading aloud is connecting generations, fostering emotional attachment, and building resilience, especially among the most vulnerable children. How reading groups are uniting struggling parents, sparking joy, and countering isolation.

Cottrell-Boyce argues that reading aloud is a simple, powerful act that offers an “apparatus of happiness,” particularly to children who face disadvantage. He warns that unless we prioritise reading together from birth, we risk perpetuating cycles of poverty and emotional disconnection.

Above all, he urges readers to act: to ensure the invisible privilege of being read to becomes a universal right. Because, he writes, “Childhood is fleeting” — and we are, at heart, a storytelling species. 

Here at LoveReading4Kids we are united with Frank and the Reading Rights Coalition and hope we can give this story a happy ending.

Here are some of the key findings every parent and carer should know:

Children’s Reading Enjoyment Is Declining

Perhaps the most worrying trend is that fewer children are enjoying reading. The data shows a sharp drop in reading for pleasure, particularly among children aged 8–13. This matters deeply, because reading for pleasure is one of the biggest predictors of a child’s future success – even more so than their family’s income.

Access Is a Major Barrier

Too many children simply don’t have the books they need – at home, in school, or in their communities. The report highlights:

  • Underfunded school libraries, many of which are closed or poorly stocked.
  • Parents struggling to afford books, especially during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
  • A lack of diversity in book options that reflect children’s lives, cultures and interests.

As one parent put it: “We want our children to love books – but how can they, if they don’t see themselves in them, or can’t access them at all?”

Schools Can’t Do It Alone

Teachers are under pressure to prioritise phonics and reading tests, often at the expense of nurturing a love for books. The report calls for:

  • More time in the school day for reading for pleasure.
  • Support for teachers and librarians to share stories and promote reading.
  • A joined-up national approach that treats reading as a right, not a privilege.

What Needs to Change?

The Reading Rights Coalition is calling on the government, publishers, schools, and communities to act – and quickly. Their vision is bold but simple: every child, everywhere, should have the right to read the books they love.

They recommend:

  • A national reading strategy, backed by long-term investment.
  • Free or affordable access to high-quality books for all families.
  • A greater focus on reading enjoyment and representation.

What Can Parents and Carers Do?

While the bigger changes must come from policy makers, there’s still plenty you can do at home:

  • Read together – even for 10 minutes a day.
  • Visit your local library and explore their offerings.
  • Let your child choose what they want to read – even comics or audiobooks!
  • Share books that reflect your family’s culture, values and humour.

Most of all, remind your child that reading is not a chore – it’s an adventure, a comfort, a mirror and a window to the world.

Let’s work together to protect and promote every child’s right to read – because reading isn’t just a skill. It’s a joy, and a right that every child deserves.

Read the full Reading Rights report and join the conversation.

Watch Frank Cottrell-Boyce talk about the Reading Rights campaign.

#ReadingRights