I was delighted and honoured to be invited to afternoon tea at Clarence House in October 2025 – an event hosted by Her Majesty the Queen to celebrate 100 years of BookTrust. Queen Camilla, a BookTrust Patron, welcomed authors, celebrities, politicians and people working with families – along with the Beatrix Potter character, Peter Rabbit.
Peter features in a new story created exclusively for BookTrust’s Bookstart Baby programme, which provides parents with books to share with their children from the earliest age, and reaches 90% of all newborn babies. Reading helps children’s early development and strengthens family bonds – and research has shown that reading for pleasure improves children’s prospects in later life.
Unusually, Bookstart took a long-term approach. It was a longitudinal study, tracking children over many years. Research projects today often expect instant results.
A child’s love for reading makes a significant difference in their future success, though it may not be the “single biggest” factor, the 2002 OECD report highlighted that reading enjoyment is more important for educational success than socio-economic status.
Research shows strong correlations between reading for pleasure and improved cognitive skills, higher attainment, better vocabulary, and progress in maths. Reading for pleasure also has social and emotional benefits, such as increased self-esteem and empathy.
Approximately 90% of a child’s brain development and growth happens before they reach the age of 5. This early period is critical, as it builds the foundation for all future learning, and a large amount of cognitive, social, and emotional development takes place during these years.
