Of all the news stories I’ve read recently, this is undoubtedly the most depressing. According to a survey by the National Literacy Trust almost 4 million children in Britain do not own a book. This represents almost one third of the kids in the UK, a massive rise from one in ten in 2005. I find this really quite upsetting, I think back to my own childhood and how many books I had and the magical lands that they took me to and feel dreadfully sorry for the children today who are missing out on this experience.
Another finding of the survey was that 19% of children had never received a book as a present and that’s a dreadful reflection on adults who seem content to only buy computer games or DVDs for the children in our life. There is a place for games and movies and toys, of course there is – but there’s also a place for books so when you’re buying presents for little ones this year, considering adding a book to the games and chocolate. There’s so many brilliant children’s books out there that it would be a shame to not get them into the hands of their intended readers.