The National Literary Trust share their 16 'must read' Summer Books...
New research reveals kids’ favourite summer reading spaces – including in bed, up a tree and on a trampoline!
· Exciting book list and reading den activity launched to inspire children to #GetLost in a book this summer
· New Children’s Laureate, Cressida Cowell, joins top children’s authors to reveal favourite reading spots in photos to inspire kids to get reading this summer
Following on from research into kid’s favourite places to read, the national literacy trust has put together a list of exciting recommended books for all ages to enjoy in various places they may find themselves in over the summer such as: in bed, outdoors, on a mode of transport and by the swimming or paddling pool on a hot day.
New research by the National Literacy Trust has revealed that the place kids most love to read is in bed – with other top contenders including on the sofa, in the library and when travelling on a bus, train or plane. Kids also revealed the strangest places they enjoying escaping with a book, such as on the toilet, up a tree and on a trampoline [1].
While school might be the last thing on kids’ minds during the summer holidays, helping them to find or visit interesting places in which to read is one of the ways to prevent learning loss over the break.
The charity’s research shows that seven in ten (68%) children read in bed – making it the most popular place children of all ages like to read.Jonathan Douglas, Director of the National Literacy Trust, said: “Coming together as a family to read before bedtime, or encouraging independent readers to explore new adventures before they fall asleep, is a great way to feed children’s imaginations and send them off into their wildest dreams, while also developing their literacy skills.”
The research also found that more children and young people who read when they are travelling on a bus, train or plane enjoy reading (68%) and read more often (34% daily) than their peers who read at home or out and about [2]. Jonathan Douglas added: “As families travel to the library, the park or the beach this summer, fuelling children’s adventures with news books and stories on the journey can elevate their imaginations from train ride to dragon ride! You might see that they want to continue their literary journey, even after they’ve alighted.”
The charity has also created a step-by-step guide to help families build their very own reading dens with things found around the house. Both can be found at: wordsforlife.org.uk
In the spirit of the findings, new Children’s Laureate, Cressida Cowell, has joined top children’s authors to reveal their favourite reading spots in a series of fantastic photos to inspire kids to find new and exciting places to read this summer. Photos include:
· Cressida Cowell (How to Train Your Dragon and The Wizards of Once) reading in her marvellous writing shed
· Clare Balding (The Racehorse Who Learned to Dance) enjoys reading outdoors in the summer
· Greg James and Chris Smith (Kid Normal) reading together outdoors
· Former Children’s Laureate, Lauren Child (Charlie and Lola, Clarice Bean and Ruby Redfort), escaping to read on the roof
· Liz Pichon (Tom Gates) delving into her favourite stories on the sofa
· Patrice Lawrence (Orangeboy) can be found reading in the garden
· Ben Lyttleton (Football School) likes to catch up on reading while waiting for the bus
· Katherine Rundell (Rooftoppers) loves reading in the park in the summer