Published Article

HeadlineWorld Book Days returns, but are enough children even reading?

Short HeadlineWorld Book Days returns, but are enough children even reading?

StandfirstThousands of children across London are dressing up as beloved book characters to celebrate their love for books.

Thousands of children today are dressing up as beloved book characters to celebrate their love for books.

World Book Day is a charity event that gives two million children a £1 token to buy a brand new book.

The charity doesn’t just do this for fun.  According to data from the literacy trust, about one in five children between the ages of ten and 15 years old are reading every day, but nearly all of the same children will use their smartphones daily!

This effect is already seeping into our schools, with one in four children not reaching the expected level of reading by the age of 11.

Children in lower-income areas are even more likely to struggle with literacy.  One in three parents says they can’t afford to buy books.

But this doesn’t just affect children. In England, about half of all adults don’t regularly read.

There are over 100 events taking place this week in honour of World Book Day.

The charity aims to help lower-income children, by providing them with free books and working with independent publishers to improve variety.