The London Literature Festival is taking over the Southbank Centre from Today, October 20th, until November 1st.
This 19th edition is curated by Dua Lipa, Londoner, pop icon, and host of a book club podcast through her company Service95. Goalhanger also launched its Book Club podcast in February this year, and the BookTok phenomenon has been widely reported. But children have been left out of this story. Is reading back in the capital?
The National Literary Trust says 36.1% of those aged 8-18 enjoy reading, an increase on previous years of decline. Rob, a father who spoke to City News, said that his “3 and a bit” year old son was “initially not given much of an option” but to read, but now actively chooses the book over the screen.
Josh Martin, children’s author, urges parents to “stop making reading a chore” and allow kids to read “whatever they’re interested in, in any way”. There will be a free book swap at the festival, actively welcoming children’s books.
There are multiple studies showing the benefits of reading to everyone, but especially children. Brain development, empathy, and social mobility are all correlated with reading when young, says the Book Trust. Rob expounded on the bonding experience reading can offer: “You wake up in the morning, you come in for a snuggle, and you just have a read of a book. There’s not much better than that really”.
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Short HeadlineIs reading back?
StandfirstThe London Literature Festival returns amid increased child literacy rates.
The London Literature Festival is taking over the Southbank Centre from Today, October 20th, until November 1st.
This 19th edition is curated by Dua Lipa, Londoner, pop icon, and host of a book club podcast through her company Service95. Goalhanger also launched its Book Club podcast in February this year, and the BookTok phenomenon has been widely reported. But children have been left out of this story. Is reading back in the capital?
The National Literary Trust says 36.1% of those aged 8-18 enjoy reading, an increase on previous years of decline. Rob, a father who spoke to City News, said that his “3 and a bit” year old son was “initially not given much of an option” but to read, but now actively chooses the book over the screen.
Josh Martin, children’s author, urges parents to “stop making reading a chore” and allow kids to read “whatever they’re interested in, in any way”. There will be a free book swap at the festival, actively welcoming children’s books.
There are multiple studies showing the benefits of reading to everyone, but especially children. Brain development, empathy, and social mobility are all correlated with reading when young, says the Book Trust. Rob expounded on the bonding experience reading can offer: “You wake up in the morning, you come in for a snuggle, and you just have a read of a book. There’s not much better than that really”.
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