Reading: A Close Encounter of the Sharing Kind

It is reassuring that it the current climate of online interaction and obsession with social media the children's book market is demonstrating growth particularly in the picture book genre. 2016 saw children's print sales in the UK up over $21million and accounting for 33% of the total sales figures. This means that one in three books sold is a children's book in this time period. The trend continues with print sales in children's books globally rising at around 4%. With growth and production rising in the digital marker there is ever increasing access to literature to suit the diverse needs of consumers.

Even so, the value of sitting down with your child and reading a 'real' book with them is invaluable. Many of us still get the warm and fuzzies when recalling times stories were shared with us as children or that feeling of connection when sitting reading with a child or group of children. Whether you are reading to your own children or to a group of children in your carer it is that relationship shared over a book that is the magic. With the widely accepted understanding that reading can improve concentration and knowledge as well as developing important life-long skills for success it is easy to assume that shared reading is something common for all children.

Sadly this is not the case and with World Literacy Day fast approaching (Saturday 8th September) we are called to action to support literacy as well as acknowledge progress. With UNESCO stats citing that more than 90 percent of primary-age children in low-income countries and 75 percent of children in lower-middle income countries – more than 330 million children – are not expected to read or do basic maths by the end of primary school. Furthermore, 57 million primary school-age children are out of school. These are staggering and saddening statistics and yet this gives those of us with the means to help and support and chance to reach out and take action. So join in community events near you to help promote and support WLD, join action groups or donate to organisations like Room to Read who actively seek to make a difference and above all take time to sit down and share a book with your own children - precious moments that will lead to a lifetime of benefits and memories.