Cressida Cowell hoping to get kids reading at Lincoln festival
Some of the country's most successful children's authors are appearing at a book festival this weekend hoping to inspire young people.The event, which is taking place in Lincoln until Sunday, features award-winning writers Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Cressida Cowell.Children from Welton St Mary's CE Primary Academy are among those attending and assistant head teacher James Durkan said it was important to promote reading at an early age."When children are tired after school it is quick and easy to pick up the iPad or the PlayStation controller, but it is really important that they do reading at home," he added.
Mr Durkan's pupils were split on whether they loved reading or technology more.Riley, 10, said: "I prefer gaming, personally. But the bad thing about it is it can get addictive. I need to start reading more. It does calm me down."Oscar, 10, added: "I prefer books because it is calm and better then technology."Eliza, 9, said it was difficult to choose her favourite, adding: "I like to read and play on technology." "Every night, I read for an hour or half an hour. I like books and technology the same amount."Cottrell-Boyce, the children's laureate, has previously said that while children in the UK may fare well in reading league tables, reading for pleasure was in decline.Cowell, famed for her multimillion-selling series How to Train Your Dragon, said authors were competing with screen time for children's attention.She said: "Research shows that kids who see an author event are more likely to read for pleasure. That's why it's important."Children are watching screens earlier and earlier. We authors need to be doing as much as we possibly can to get kids reading."My message to parents would be to try and read to your child. Even if it's 10 minutes a day, it makes such a difference."
Research by the National Literacy Trust found two in three children and young people do not enjoy reading. The 2024 report recorded the worst levels in almost 20 years.According to a recent Ofcom report, more than a quarter of three-and four-year-olds own their own smartphone and half of children under 13 are on social media.Mr Durkan said teachers had seen a difference in the development of children who read at home.He added: "We do find that the increase in the use of technology is a challenge for children."That immediate pleasure is there, whereas with reading it does require more discipline, more patience and you do have to invest that time in it."One thing parents could do is talk to children about books. That can be really inspiring when a parent sits down and reads with their child. It's so powerful."The festival, which is run by Waterstones, features events at the High Street store, The Engine Shed, Southside and Lincoln Central Library.
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