Raising the literacy reading alarm
For many of us, our love of reading begins in childhood. However, as reported by the National Literacy Trust last year, the percentage of children and young people who said they enjoyed reading was at its lowest level in 20 years.
The study discovered that only 32% of children and young people aged 8 to 19 said that they enjoyed reading in their free time; marking a 36% decrease in reading enjoyment levels since the study began.
The rising issue was also observed amongst younger generations, with reading rates amongst children aged 5 to 8 dropping to 44.5%; a staggering drop of 9.1% since 2019.
Nurture storytelling for years to come
We live in a digital age where content is everywhere, and children are digital natives. Visit any high street or supermarket and print still plays a key role, particularly picture books for young children, however the digital landscape has radically changed the way we consume content.
As highlighted by The National Literacy Trust, children and young people who report low levels of reading enjoyment still recognise reading’s educational value. Many also choose to read song lyrics, news articles, fiction, comics, and fan fiction in their free time.
Perhaps as a society we need to look at the landscape we live in and how to shape it in a way where children can absorb stories in increasingly different, and often digital, ways.
This is why initiatives such as World Book Day are so important, where children can dress up for the day as their favourite character and absorb themselves in a book. A day that we can celebrate the world of stories and ignite a creative spark in us all.
Reflecting on our personal reading journeys
We love creating stand out messaging and content for clients. Storytelling is truly our bread and butter. However, where did this love begin for the team and what advice can we share, to ensure future generations nurture a love of reading? Find out more below:
Amy Jeffs: “I feel like life begins with stories. I’ve been writing my own since I started learning to write at 4 and 5 years old and must have been enjoying them for a time before that. I love the way books can take you to another place and time with a whole host of new people and adventures. I don’t really remember a time without a book by my side.
“In the real world, when I started my degree, we were told to keep reading and read everything. The more perspectives, formats and tones you can pick up the more equipped you will be to communicate well. I hold to that advice too. Read, lots, of everything you can.”
Emma Lever: “I have loved stories and books for as long as I can remember. Being from a small town in Northeast Scotland, I would be very excited for ‘mobile library’ day at primary school, which is precisely what you would expect, a van full of books catering to remote areas. This expanded my reading repertoire, introducing me to new stories and characters.
“Reading opens a new world, nurtures diverse ways of thinking and encourages empathy for others. I have read to my children since they were babies and now, they are big bookworms. I treasure our regular library visits together and hope to have instilled a love of reading in them for life. Support your local libraries, put the phone away and absorb yourself into a story.”
Molly Bramham: “I’ve been a big reader since I was young, which led me to study A-level English Literature when I was a teenager. I probably stopped reading so much for leisure when I was studying at university due to the volume of reading I was doing for my studies, but I think I started to pick this up again after graduating and have started to read Substacks on an evening.”
Top reading picks from the Hey Me team:
Amy Jeffs: “Ahh, a favourite book, now this could get embarrassing. I would love to say I’ve been reading something thought provoking and profound but recently I’ve been reading more as a calming escape. My list in the past year has consisted of Julia Quinn aka ‘Bridgeton’ etc, Sarah J. Maas ‘A Court of Thorns & Roses’, Dick Francis various stories and Lee Child’s ‘Reacher’. So, a bit of an eclectic mix. I’m stuck in a rut though, so any suggestions are welcome.”
Emma Lever: “Last year, my favourite read was ‘Mongrel,’ by Hanako Footman. Poignant, emotional, it is a book that will truly stick with you. This year, I have really enjoyed ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ by Mitch Albom, full of life lessons to absorb and mull over.
“I’m also excited for ‘John of John’ by fantastic Scottish author called Douglas Stuart to come out in May. If you haven’t read his debut ‘Shuggie Bain,’ then I highly recommend that you do. A beautiful novel about a mother and son, it is a gem of a book and one of the best stories written in the past decade.”
Molly Bramham: “I would have to say Bob Mortimer’s ‘Satsuma Complex’ and ‘Avocado Hotel’ are a must-read – they’re so easy to get into and I just love the way his brain works!”
Happy World Book Day! Long may the joy of reading continue. Find out more about how create compelling stories for our clients here.
