Analysis

Can reading really improve your life?


Listen Later

Most educational research now suggests that reading for pleasure is strongly linked to a child’s future outcome, educational success, and even wellbeing. But the latest studies also show that reading for pleasure is at its lowest level for twenty years.

Why has this happened in a country that's produced more successful children's books than any other? From Paddington, to Harry Potter, the Chronicles of Narnia to Alice in Wonderland, and of course, the Gruffalo, the list is vast. Is a lack of access to school and local libraries the problem, too few books at home or the rise of phones, tablets and game consoles?

What can schools, government, the media and parents do to help foster a love of reading that could help children throughout their lives? Author and former Children's Laureate Julia Donaldson investigates.

Presenter: Julia Donaldson

Producer: Ravi Naik
Editor: Clare Fordham

Contributors:

Frank Cottrell-Boyce, author and screenwriter
Joseph Coelho, 2022-24 Children’s Laureate, author and poet
Teresa Cremin, Professor of Education (Literacy), the Open University
Joanna Prior CEO Pan Macmillan Publishing, and Chair of Trustees at the National Literacy Trust
Laura Patel, head of literacy, Sandhill View Academy school, Sunderland
Leia Sands, librarian and committee member, the Great School Libraries campaign
Ben Lawrence, arts and culture editor, The Daily Telegraph
Sonia Thompson, headteacher, St Matthews C of E primary school, Birmingham

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

AnalysisBy BBC Radio 4

  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6

4.6

195 ratings


More shows like Analysis

View all
Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

Global News Podcast

7,575 Listeners

From Our Own Correspondent by BBC Radio 4

From Our Own Correspondent

374 Listeners

More or Less by BBC Radio 4

More or Less

889 Listeners

Newshour by BBC World Service

Newshour

1,048 Listeners

The Reith Lectures by BBC Radio 4

The Reith Lectures

222 Listeners

In Our Time by BBC Radio 4

In Our Time

5,458 Listeners

The Documentary Podcast by BBC World Service

The Documentary Podcast

1,796 Listeners

In Our Time: History by BBC Radio 4

In Our Time: History

1,882 Listeners

6 Minute English by BBC Radio

6 Minute English

1,756 Listeners

Learning English Conversations by BBC Radio

Learning English Conversations

1,046 Listeners

Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4 by BBC Radio 4

Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4

2,117 Listeners

The Infinite Monkey Cage by BBC Radio 4

The Infinite Monkey Cage

2,085 Listeners

Profile by BBC Radio 4

Profile

107 Listeners

The Media Show by BBC Radio 4

The Media Show

34 Listeners

BBC Inside Science by BBC Radio 4

BBC Inside Science

411 Listeners

Moral Maze by BBC Radio 4

Moral Maze

69 Listeners

The Inquiry by BBC World Service

The Inquiry

746 Listeners

Start the Week by BBC Radio 4

Start the Week

161 Listeners

Any Questions? and Any Answers? by BBC Radio 4

Any Questions? and Any Answers?

41 Listeners

Daily Politics from the New Statesman by The New Statesman

Daily Politics from the New Statesman

143 Listeners

The Briefing Room by BBC Radio 4

The Briefing Room

82 Listeners

You're Dead to Me by BBC Radio 4

You're Dead to Me

3,186 Listeners

The Bomb by BBC World Service

The Bomb

1,017 Listeners

Westminster Insider by POLITICO

Westminster Insider

39 Listeners

Radical with Amol Rajan by BBC Radio 4

Radical with Amol Rajan

54 Listeners