Frank Cottrell-Boyce has called on policymakers to treat children’s reading as a fundamental right rather than a parental responsibility, warning that Britain is overlooking the emotional and social benefits of reading. New research reveals a steep decline in daily shared reading at home.
Final Laureate Lecture Highlights Crisis
Delivering his final lecture as Waterstones Children’s Laureate at the Royal Institution, titled The Kids Are Not Alright, Cottrell-Boyce linked falling shared reading rates to poverty, housing insecurity, and the rise of social media. “Our children have been at the sharp end of two great crises: Covid, and just as damagingly, austerity,” he said. “We can talk all we like about bedtime stories … but what does that mean to a child with no bed? Or no space for a bed?”
He described how “furniture poverty” and housing instability prevent children from establishing stable reading routines. “You’re not going to Narnia because you haven’t got a wardrobe,” he remarked. “Your clothes are stored in bin bags ready for the next move.”
Decline in Shared Reading
New figures from BookTrust, released to coincide with the lecture, show that daily shared reading among families with children aged eight and under dropped from 60% in 2021 to 49% in 2025. However, the proportion of children who “like or love reading” increased from 66% to 80% over the same period, indicating sustained enthusiasm for books despite fewer shared reading sessions.
This comes as the UK celebrates the National Year of Reading, a government-led initiative supported by the National Literacy Trust. The campaign includes launching the first Children’s Booker prize, with a judging panel chaired by Cottrell-Boyce and three children aged 8–12 helping adjudicate. It also involves distributing 72,000 books to children in need and fostering a “national mission” to make reading a daily habit.
Impact of Screens and Social Media
Cottrell-Boyce also addressed the impact of screens and social media on children’s attention spans. He argued that concerns about “addictive” tech platforms are now unavoidable, as children’s attention is captured by systems designed to maximize engagement. “These kids are working for big tech,” he said. “We all are. But you’re working for someone who doesn’t love you, who is not going to pay you and doesn’t care how many hours you work. It’s a shocking situation we’ve got ourselves into.”
Referencing growing legal and political scrutiny of technology companies, he added: “These platforms should bear total responsibility. I think these trials are a bit like the big tobacco moment.”
Reading Beyond Literacy
He criticized the narrow focus on reading as a tool for attainment and literacy. “Reading has become so bound up with attainment and literacy, that we’ve failed to get across the emotional benefits, the fact that it is fun and should be done for pleasure,” he said.
Optimism Despite Challenges
Despite the scale of the challenges, Cottrell-Boyce remains optimistic about children’s reading habits and community efforts. “Pessimism is a luxury that we can’t afford,” he said. “I do feel optimistic. I’ve met amazing people and seen amazing practice that costs next to nothing.”
During his two-year tenure as children’s laureate, Cottrell-Boyce has promoted his Reading Rights campaign, which advocates embedding shared reading in early years support, from health visitors to family hubs. The new children’s laureate will be announced in July.
