Book Brigade

Did you know? 
 

• Reading for pleasure is a strong predictor for progress in vocabulary, maths and spelling.​

• Shared reading is consistently associated with stronger academic performance, and makes a bigger impact than parents supervising homework or attending school events.

• Independent readers at ages 11 – 14 are more likely to have healthy behaviours.

• Reading regularly helps children develop better interpersonal skills and meaningful relationships.

• Regular readers report higher self-esteem and emotional regulation, and exhibit fewer emotional and behavioural challenges like anxiety and aggression. 

• Children who read regularly consistently score higher on general measures of wellbeing and happiness, and may have increased levels of empathy, especially towards stigmatised groups.*​

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But the picture is an alarming one.

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• In 2025, a report by the Literacy Trust found that the percentage of children and young people who enjoyed reading was its lowest in 20 years. ​

• Just 1 in 3 (32.7%) children and young people aged 8 to 18 said that they enjoyed reading in their free time. This marks a 36% decrease in reading enjoyment levels since the Literacy Trust began their survey in 2005.​

• The drop in reading enjoyment over the last year has been especially steep among primary-aged children and boys. 

• Fewer than 1 in 5 (18.7%) 8- to 18-year-olds told us that they read something daily in their free time in 2025, the lowest levels the Literacy Trust has recorded, with daily reading levels decreasing by nearly 20% since 2005.**

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This breaks our hearts. We believe in the power of reading to transform lives and perspectives, and we are so passionate about keeping children reading regularly and outside of school. 

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Join our Book Brigade!

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Our Book Brigade offers an opportunity to engage with new books, share titles that they love, and get excited about reading together. We aim to be an inclusive, friendly session where you are encouraged to read and discuss the book, but if you don't finish the book... that's not a problem! We engage children with creative activities along the themes of each book to encourage them to discuss ideas and get thinking about storytelling. 

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And you don't even have to buy the book from us! Some of our Brigade members borrow the book from libraries, read on their Kindle, or listen to the audiobook. However, Book Brigade members do get 15% off the book of the month in store, and any purchase helps us to keep activities like these going. 

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*Source: https://files.booktrust.org.uk/docs/documents/BenefitsofReading_English.pdf?v=1758793736 

**Source: https://literacytrust.org.uk/research-services/research-reports/children-and-young-peoples-reading-in-2025/