**Children’s Laureate Urges Nationwide Action to End ‘Indefensible’ Gaps in Reading Opportunity**
Frank Cottrell-Boyce, the respected author and Waterstones Children’s Laureate for 2024–2026, has issued an urgent call for the government and the community to eliminate what he terms the “indefensible” disparities in reading experiences faced by children throughout the United Kingdom.
Cottrell-Boyce, acclaimed for his books including *Framed* and *Millions*, has launched what he terms the “Reading Rights” campaign. He says that being read to as a young child confers an “invisible privilege”—one that children from less advantaged backgrounds are often denied. His ambition is nothing less than to turn this privilege into a universal right accessible to every child in the country.
In partnership with BookTrust, a prominent children’s reading charity, Cottrell-Boyce has contributed to a new report that highlights the urgent need to provide all children and families with access to high-quality, representative books. The report also stresses the importance of instilling storytelling skills in early years educators, so they can confidently share stories with children and model reading practices for parents.
The launch event for the report is scheduled to take place at Edith Kerrison Nursery School and Children’s Centre in London. During the event, early years practitioners and education advocates will gather to discuss strategies for equipping staff with the necessary tools to support family reading.
“Britain is not an equal society. There are 4.3 million children growing up in poverty,” Cottrell-Boyce stated ahead of the report’s launch. He emphasised his determination to use his laureate platform to contribute to the campaign for those most at risk of being overlooked and left behind by the current system. “We have an astonishingly powerful tool in our hands – shared reading,” he underlined, arguing that access to stories is not merely a matter of academic success but about shared culture, connection, and joy.
The report’s recommendations draw on the outcome of a landmark summit held earlier this year in Liverpool, which Cottrell-Boyce convened. The conference brought together leaders from education, politics, health, the arts, and the early years sector to develop a roadmap for tackling reading inequality head-on.
In the report’s foreword, Cottrell-Boyce paints a stark picture of the perpetuating cycle, warning that “children who have not been given the vast invisible privilege of being read to will all too soon be parents themselves and, without support, will pass on that disadvantage to their children.” He stresses that breaking this cycle is a pressing and achievable goal, and one that, importantly, can be underscored by the joy and community of sharing stories.
Diana Gerald, Chief Executive of BookTrust, echoed this sense of urgency, adding: “We know that too many children are missing out on the immediate and lifelong benefits of early shared reading. For BookTrust, this report marks the next big step in our mission to embed reading and storytelling in the day-to-day reality of every family.”
The Department for Education responded with a statement articulating its commitment to improving outcomes for all children, regardless of background. A spokesperson highlighted ongoing initiatives such as expanded early language programmes, the increase in nursery places within schools, and dedicated support for parents at home through Family Hubs and Start for Life schemes. “The Education Secretary has made clear that reading and writing provide the foundation for all learning, and we will continue to work with experts from across the sector to deliver an early years system that offers every child the best possible start.”
As the Reading Rights campaign begins its journey, Cottrell-Boyce and his coalition of supporters hope their message will resonate widely. They argue that every child, regardless of circumstance, deserves the chance to begin life’s journey with stories—and that providing this is both a moral obligation and a joyful collective opportunity.
With literacy at the heart of personal and societal progress, the coming months may prove pivotal for the future of children’s reading in the UK. The coalition behind the campaign hopes their vision for a fairer, more literary start in life will unite policymakers, educators, and parents alike.