Reading to children from an early age is closely linked to greater wellbeing, improved educational outcomes, stronger empathy and enhanced social mobility. It is therefore little surprise that the government has declared 2026 the National Year of Reading. Given current trends, the timing could not be more appropriate.
Reading for pleasure is in serious decline. Among children and young people in the UK, enjoyment of reading has fallen to its lowest level in two decades. Data from the National Literacy Trust shows that only one in three people aged eight to 18 now enjoy reading in their free time, representing a 36% fall over 20 years.
Reading, like storytelling, is a tradition passed down through generations. When that chain weakens, the skills and pleasures associated with reading risk being lost. Initiatives such as the National Year of Reading 2026 are intended to address this challenge, including plans to distribute 72,000 new books to children most in need.
Several complementary measures are also being introduced. A new Children's Booker Prize, aimed at readers aged eight to 12, will be launched in 2026 and awarded annually from 2027. The first judging panel will be chaired by children's laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce and will include young readers.
The earliest years of life are crucial. A child's first 1,000 days are particularly important for brain development, and shared reading plays a central role in both cognitive and emotional growth. Beyond literacy, reading together strengthens bonding and attachment.
As Margaret Atwood writes, "A word after a word after a word is power." Giving children access to that power is a collective responsibility. The National Year of Reading should be more than a slogan — it should be a turning point.
