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Children’s Laureate Declares Reading a Right, Unveils 72,000 Books

5/15/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Frank Cottrell-Boyce, UK children’s laureate, urged policymakers to treat shared reading as a right.
He reported shared reading fell from 60% in 2021 to 49% in 2025, blaming poverty, housing insecurity and social-media pull.
He noted that children who “like or love” reading rose from 66% to 80% and said the National Year of Reading will give 72,000 books and launch a Children’s Booker prize chaired by him.

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Story summary

Frank Cottrell-Boyce, UK children’s laureate, urged policymakers to treat shared reading as a right.
He reported shared reading fell from 60% in 2021 to 49% in 2025, blaming poverty, housing insecurity and social-media pull.
He noted that children who “like or love” reading rose from 66% to 80% and said the National Year of Reading will give 72,000 books and launch a Children’s Booker prize chaired by him.