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Reading for pleasure is reading which someone has chosen to do for fun in their free time, with no tests or school rules. The National Literacy Trust’s annual survey showed that the proportion of children reading in their free time had sunk to its lowest in 20 years and stood at under one in three children.
The UK-wide National Year of Reading 2026 is a major government and charity-backed campaign led by the Department for Education and the National Literacy Trust. Under the banner "Go All In", it aims to reverse the decline in reading for pleasure by connecting books with personal passions like music, gaming, and sports. The House of commons report actually recommends a National Decade of Reading to ensure that reading for pleasure remains a long-term priority and suggested that school libraries should be statutory.
I’m joined today by a group of people passionate about books and reading. My panel is made up of parent, teacher and bookworm, Richard Simpson aka @richreadalot, Author and tutor KD Greaves, and Hannah Clover, School Library Lead for the School Library Association.
Connect with my guests:
Karen: LinkedIn Instagram www.kdgreaves.com
Richard: LinkedIn Instagram
Hannah: LinkedIn School Library Association
Useful links mentioned in the show:
ABC
Reading for pleasure has been shown to significantly enhance a child's development more than any other activity. At ABC, we give children access to books and libraries by collecting and donating great quality pre-loved books and creating beautiful inspiring reading spaces in primary schools. ABC
Authorfy - FREE for the National Year of Reading 2026!
Browse the largest library of author videos in the world, get unlimited access to thousands of book extracts, resources and writing challenges, and connect with hundreds of children’s authors and illustrators at the touch of a button.
AuthorFy
School Library Association
The School Library Association is a national education charity and membership organisation that supports all schools to develop and deliver effective school library provision, and to build vibrant reading and learning communities, ensuring that all pupils can reach their full potential. Supporting everyone building a school reading culture. School Library Association
Comments on ed select committee - A library in every school – Education Committee recommends statutory school libraries
Webinar link for Claire Roberts - Case Study: Using Audio in School, Claire Roberts, Neston High School
NYOR webinar - National Year of Reading Webinar - Engaging Readers Across The Academic Year
NYOR toolkit - National Year of Reading
NLT research referenced- Improving the literacy skills of disadvantaged teenage boys through the use of technology | National Literacy Trust
Book recommendations:
‘Foster Care For Florence Bear’ by Ellie Pulze introduces young readers to the foster care system, and boosts understanding to those in and outside of the system that families can look different and that this is okay.
'The Unadoptables' by Hana Tooke – supports the acceptance of differences (Lotta has six fingers), explores feelings of being devalued, celebrates resilience and that families can look different.
'Oranges In No Man’s Land' by Elizabeth Laird and 'Goodnight Mr Tom' by Michelle Magorian – are books through which we see some hard, emotional truths about physical and mental illness whilst also dealing with the upheaval caused to families through war conflicts.
'The Big Umbrella' by Amy June Bates, which illustrates that strong communities are inclusive.
'Skellig' by David Almond, deals with family illness, anxiety, change, and growing up.
'The Boy At the Back of the Class' by Onjali Q Rauf is a child's perspective on the refugee crisis, at first being bullied for being different then highlighting the importance of friendship and kindness leading to a heartfelt adventure.
'Varjak Paw' by SF Said - Varjak is a Mesopotamian Blue kitten. He lives high up in an old house on a hill. He's never left home, but then his grandfather tells him about the Way - a secret martial art for cats. This story is about being different and isolated and finding bravery within.
'The Boy in the Suit' by James Fox - Addresses mental health issues and financial struggles and how a mother and son survive day to day.
'The Truth of Things' a Trilogy by Anthony McGowan - Life is pretty tough for Nicky and Kenny. Their mum is gone and their dad has had his troubles. Money is tight and people can be cruel about Kenny's learning difficulties. But through it all, the brothers stick together, sharing adventures and their love of the natural world, while finding humour in the most difficult of circumstances.
'Six Weeks' Matt Goodfellow (author of 'The Final Year' and 'The First Year') - A boy's mother has died at the start of the six week Summer holiday - how will he manage?
Author Suggestions:
Jacqueline Wilson - Our home lives are all different
Benjamin Zephaniah - He was excluded from school and writes about this topic, representing a range of experiences for children.
Ellie McNicoll - Writes about neurodiverse children's lives.
Tom Palmer - Most of my stories are researched and set in real places.
Eoin Colfe - Real life experiences
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Thanks to Chloe Clayton - @clomyster on Instagram for creating the music for this podcast.
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