Her Majesty The Queen visits Spellow Library to celebrate the power of reading and community
4 September 2026
Photo of Her Majesty The Queen and Frank Cottrell-Boyce at Spellow Library, courtesy of Liverpool City Council
Her Majesty The Queen, BookTrust’s Patron, visited Spellow Library in Liverpool today [4 September 2026], joining families, community partners, Liverpool City Council and BookTrust Reading Rights Ambassador and author, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, to hear about the life-changing benefits of reading and the vital role libraries play in supporting children and families.
During the visit, Her Majesty joined Frank to meet parents Roisin, Ella and Dionne, alongside their children, to hear how reading is supporting children from the earliest years.
These families have been taking part in community storytelling and rhyme sessions offered by BookTrust and local partners, helping parents and caregivers build confidence in shared reading, strengthen family relationships, and supporting children’s development and future opportunities. They have also received Bookstart packs from BookTrust, which include books, resources and activities to encourage regular reading together at home.
These storytelling sessions are part of BookTrust’s work with Northwood Family Hub in Knowsley, where we have been working alongside health professionals, community partners and local services, to co-create adaptable, sustainable solutions to embed reading into everyday family life. This project is part of BookTrust’s Reading Rights campaign to make reading a universal right for all children under 7 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Frank Cottrell-Boyce, author and BookTrust’s Reading Rights Ambassador, said:
The joy of sharing a book together is one of the greatest gifts we can give a child. Reading helps children dream bigger, build confidence and feel connected. It was a privilege to share with Her Majesty The Queen how communities are working together to put books and stories at the heart of children’s lives. Through BookTrust’s Reading Rights campaign, I’ve seen first-hand the difference that partnership can make in helping every child experience the life-changing benefits of reading.
Frank Cottrell-Boyce, author and BookTrust’s Reading Rights Ambassador
While BookTrust research shows 80% of young children like or love reading, daily shared reading has fallen significantly, from 60% of children being read with every day in 2021, to just 49% in 2025. BookTrust’s Reading Rights campaign is focused on ensuring every child, in every family can experience the benefits of sharing books.
Will Carr, Senior Partnership Manager North at BookTrust, who also joined the visit at Spellow, said:
At BookTrust, we know children continue to love reading, but many families face a lack of support. Vital community spaces like Spellow and Northwood Family Hub are at the heart of our work with family hubs and local authorities, delivering programmes to help families access books and supporting them to share reading together. The renewal of Spellow Library shows what happens when communities invest in children and recognise the life-changing impact that shared reading can have on a child’s future.
Will Carr, Senior Partnership Manager North at BookTrust
The visit by The Queen recognises the remarkable recovery of Spellow Library following the riots in summer 2024, when the library was badly damaged. Thanks to a huge community effort, the library has been restored and reopened, once again providing a welcoming space where children and families can access books, share stories and connect with one another.
Frank added:
Libraries like Spellow are community anchors, places where children and families belong and where access to books and imagination is woven into everyday life. What makes Spellow especially important is that, after the riots, people came together to restore something their community could not afford to lose. It’s a powerful story of resilience and hope.
Frank Cottrell-Boyce, author and BookTrust’s Reading Rights Ambassador
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Reading Rights
Find out more about the Reading Rights campaign, which calls for system change to ensure every child has access to the life-changing benefits of reading.
