Reading for Joy: How We Can Help Children Fall in Love with Books Again

There is something wonderfully simple about a child discovering a book they cannot put down. It might be a funny story, an adventure, a comic, a mystery or a book about a subject they already love. Whatever the choice, that moment of genuine interest can be the beginning of a lifelong relationship with reading.

And in 2026, helping children discover that enjoyment has never been more important.

The current picture: a challenge, but also an opportunity

Recent research paints a mixed picture of children’s reading in the UK. The National Literacy Trust’s 2025 survey of more than 114,000 children and young people found that only 32.7% of 8- to 18-year-olds said they enjoyed reading in their free time, while 18.7% said they read something every day. Both figures were at their lowest levels in two decades. Those numbers are concerning, but they don't mean that children have stopped enjoying stories.

In fact, the research gives us some encouraging clues about how to bring reading back into children's everyday lives. Children told researchers that they were more likely to read when books connected with their favourite films or television programmes, matched their hobbies and interests, had an appealing cover or title, or when they had freedom to choose what they read. That is an important message: perhaps the answer isn't simply getting children to read more, but helping them find something they genuinely want to read.

There is no single "right" way to read

For adults, reading can sometimes mean sitting quietly with a novel. Children's reading lives are much broader. A child might read a picture book with a parent, a graphic novel with a friend, a fact book about dinosaurs, a football magazine, a poem, a joke book or a story inspired by their favourite film. They might listen to an audiobook and then want to find the printed story. They might read song lyrics or explore information online. All of these experiences can contribute to a child's relationship with language, stories and information.

So if a child enthusiastically chooses a comic instead of a traditional chapter book, there is no need to see that as a failure. They are reading.

Choice can be powerful

Imagine being told that every time you sat down to read, someone else had already chosen the book for you. For some children, that can make reading feel like another task rather than something they own. Giving children meaningful choices can make a difference. They might choose between a mystery and a funny story, select a book about their favourite animal, or simply browse the shelves until something catches their attention.

The National Literacy Trust found that 26.6% of 8- to 18-year-olds said having freedom to choose what they read would motivate them to read. Choice doesn't mean that adults have no role. Parents, carers, teachers and librarians can still introduce children to wonderful books and make recommendations. But allowing children to have a say can turn reading from an instruction into an invitation.

The magic of reading together

Reading independently is valuable, but shared reading has its own special benefits. For younger children especially, reading together creates opportunities to talk, ask questions, laugh at characters and predict what might happen next. A story becomes an experience shared between people.

This matters even before children can read independently. Stories, songs and shared books help build early language experiences and can strengthen the emotional connection between children and the adults around them. BookTrust's recent work continues to emphasise the importance of shared reading from the earliest years. And shared reading doesn't have to be complicated. Ten minutes at bedtime, a story after school or taking turns reading a few pages together can all help make books part of family life.

Protecting the love of reading when children start school

One particularly interesting finding has emerged in 2026.

New research from BookTrust found that the proportion of children reported by parents and carers to love reading fell from 55% at age four to 44% at age five – the point at which many children begin primary school. BookTrust has responded with guidance designed to help schools and nurseries protect reading for enjoyment during this important transition.

Learning to decode words and developing phonics skills are essential parts of becoming a confident reader. But enjoyment matters too. A child can learn how to read while also learning that books are exciting, comforting, hilarious, surprising and full of possibilities.

The two goals can – and should – work together.

Small habits can make a big difference

You don't need a house full of books or hours of free time to create a positive reading culture. It can become a doorway to imagination, knowledge, confidence and connection – and a lifelong source of joy.