National Year of Reading 2026
It is very sad to hear that the UK is facing a literacy crisis among children, with statistics indicating a decline in reading enjoyment and frequency. In 2025, the lowest level in 20 years.
The long-term consequences of illiteracy in children can be devastating, including accessing secondary education and limited future opportunities. Children who read books do better at school. They are more creative, open to new ideas, and develop empathy for others. Reading improves vocabulary. Even as adults, when we read, we come across new words and we learn from this. Every time you read a book, you have to remember the setting of the book, the characters, their backgrounds, their history, their personalities, the sub-plots and so much more. As your brain learns to remember all this, your memory becomes better. If you’re reading a thriller, your brain is analysing the clues, helping you work out the ending before you finish the book.
You don’t have to read the classics; anything can be beneficial. Magazines, sports articles, non-fiction and fiction. It’s been shown that as little as ten minutes a day can help with imagination, vocabulary, memory and confidence.
2026 is the UK’s National Year of Reading. It’s aimed at getting more people to rediscover their love of reading. More importantly, we want to get children reading for the sheer enjoyment of it, not because they ‘have’ to for school or exams. So, go and find something to read that grabs your attention. Read to your children and grandchildren. Instill in them that sense of wonder that a truly wonderful book can bring. Like they say, if you don’t enjoy reading, you haven’t found the right book yet.
Julie Harrison Kibworth Community Library
Kibworth Bowl Club April 2026
