Latest news with #FrankCottrell-Boyce
Wales Online
21-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Children's Laureate calls for action over ‘indefensible' reading inequality
Children's Laureate calls for action over 'indefensible' reading inequality The author and screenwriter wants the "invisible privilege" of being read to from a young age to be turned into a "universal right" for all children. Waterstones Children's Laureate 2024-2026 Frank Cottrell-Boyce (Image: David Bebber ) Children's Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce has called for urgent action to tackle "indefensible" reading inequality among young people. The author and screenwriter wants the "invisible privilege" of being read to from a young age to be turned into a "universal right" for all children. A report from Cottrell-Boyce and children's reading charity BookTrust has called for all children and families to have access to high-quality books that are "representative of the contemporary UK". The report – which will be launched on Wednesday at Edith Kerrison Nursery School and Children's Centre in London – added that training for early years practitioners should include skills for storytelling to ensure staff feel confident in sharing stories and showing parents how to read with their children. Cottrell-Boyce, known for the novels Framed and Millions, said: "Britain is not an equal society. 4.3 million children are growing up in poverty. "When I was named Waterstones Children's Laureate, I knew I wanted to use my position to campaign for these children, the ones that are being left behind. Article continues below "I started the Reading Rights campaign to highlight this indefensible inequality, but also to say that we can do something about it. "We have an astonishingly powerful tool in our hands – shared reading." The report comes after Cottrell-Boyce led a summit in Liverpool in January which brought together experts from the political, education, literacy, early years, arts and health sectors to recommend action. In the report's foreword, Cottrell-Boyce said: "Children who have not been given the vast invisible privilege of being read to will all too soon be parents themselves and, without support, will pass on that disadvantage to their children. "The task is urgent and vital, but it is also achievable and full of joy." He added: "I'm asking for Government support on a local and national level to make sure this simple, vital experience is available to all. "To help us remember who we really are – the storytelling species." Diana Gerald, chief executive of BookTrust, said: "It is our huge privilege to be working with Frank Cottrell-Boyce on the Reading Rights campaign, and with the extraordinary cross-sector coalition that has been involved in this work so far. "BookTrust has been working to get children and families reading for many decades, but we know that too many children are missing out on the immediate and lifelong benefits of early shared reading. "That's why, for BookTrust, this report is the next step on our journey to make early shared reading and storytelling an everyday part of all children's lives. "We want this report and campaign to unite us, inspire us and give focus to our shared commitment to improving children's lives." A Department for Education (DfE) spokeswoman said: "This Government is committed to breaking the unfair link between a child's background and what they can go on to achieve, and have set a clear milestone through the Plan for Change to ensure tens of thousands more children start school ready to learn. Article continues below "Supporting every child to become a confident reader is crucial for their development, wellbeing and life chances, which is why we are extending early language support, delivering thousands of new places in school-based nurseries, and providing support for parents with home learning through the Family Hubs and Start for Life programmes. "The Education Secretary has made clear that reading and writing are the cornerstones of learning, and we will continue to engage with experts across the sector as we build an early years system that gives every child the best start in life."
Powys County Times
21-05-2025
- General
- Powys County Times
Children's Laureate calls for action over ‘indefensible' reading inequality
Children's Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce has called for urgent action to tackle 'indefensible' reading inequality among young people. The author and screenwriter wants the 'invisible privilege' of being read to from a young age to be turned into a 'universal right' for all children. A report from Cottrell-Boyce and children's reading charity BookTrust has called for all children and families to have access to high-quality books that are 'representative of the contemporary UK'. The report – which will be launched on Wednesday at Edith Kerrison Nursery School and Children's Centre in London – added that training for early years practitioners should include skills for storytelling to ensure staff feel confident in sharing stories and showing parents how to read with their children. Cottrell-Boyce, known for the novels Framed and Millions, said: 'Britain is not an equal society. 4.3 million children are growing up in poverty. 'When I was named Waterstones Children's Laureate, I knew I wanted to use my position to campaign for these children, the ones that are being left behind. 'I started the Reading Rights campaign to highlight this indefensible inequality, but also to say that we can do something about it. 'We have an astonishingly powerful tool in our hands – shared reading.' The report comes after Cottrell-Boyce led a summit in Liverpool in January which brought together experts from the political, education, literacy, early years, arts and health sectors to recommend action. In the report's foreword, Cottrell-Boyce said: 'Children who have not been given the vast invisible privilege of being read to will all too soon be parents themselves and, without support, will pass on that disadvantage to their children. 'The task is urgent and vital, but it is also achievable and full of joy.' He added: 'I'm asking for Government support on a local and national level to make sure this simple, vital experience is available to all. 'To help us remember who we really are – the storytelling species.' Diana Gerald, chief executive of BookTrust, said: 'It is our huge privilege to be working with Frank Cottrell-Boyce on the Reading Rights campaign, and with the extraordinary cross-sector coalition that has been involved in this work so far. 'BookTrust has been working to get children and families reading for many decades, but we know that too many children are missing out on the immediate and lifelong benefits of early shared reading. 'That's why, for BookTrust, this report is the next step on our journey to make early shared reading and storytelling an everyday part of all children's lives. 'We want this report and campaign to unite us, inspire us and give focus to our shared commitment to improving children's lives.' A Department for Education (DfE) spokeswoman said: 'This Government is committed to breaking the unfair link between a child's background and what they can go on to achieve, and have set a clear milestone through the Plan for Change to ensure tens of thousands more children start school ready to learn. 'Supporting every child to become a confident reader is crucial for their development, wellbeing and life chances, which is why we are extending early language support, delivering thousands of new places in school-based nurseries, and providing support for parents with home learning through the Family Hubs and Start for Life programmes. 'The Education Secretary has made clear that reading and writing are the cornerstones of learning, and we will continue to engage with experts across the sector as we build an early years system that gives every child the best start in life.'
BBC News
15-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
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 event, which is taking place in Lincoln until Sunday, features award-winning writers Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Cressida 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 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 famed for her multimillion-selling series How to Train Your Dragon, said authors were competing with screen time for children's 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 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 Durkan said teachers had seen a difference in the development of children who read at 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. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
