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Reading Rights: Books Build a Brighter Future

For too long, the life-changing benefits of children’s reading have not been taken seriously. And now – as our children face an unknown future – we risk losing a generation unless we act.” – Frank Cottrell-Boyce

Reading Rights report

BookTrust and the Waterstones Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce have launched Reading Rights: Books Build a Brighter Future. The report calls for national provision so that every child has access to books and reading from their earliest years. It calls on national and local leaders in early years, health, education and culture to come together to make reading a part of daily life for every child in the first seven years of life. 

Reading Rights Summit

On January 22 2025, the Waterstones Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce and BookTrust hosted a Reading Rights Summit to address the​‘invisible privilege and inequality’ within books and reading.

The day-long summit brought together expert voices in the political, education, literacy, early years, arts and health sectors to recommend an urgent course of action to policymakers that will help ensure that the life-changing benefits of children’s reading are taken seriously and made accessible to every child.

Support the Reading Rights campaign

Working together is crucial to ensure that every child can benefit from shared reading. 

Here’s how you can support the Reading Rights campaign: 

  • Share our messaging: Use our social media images to help us spread the word about the Reading Rights report, and share your thoughts and actions using the #ReadingRights hashtag. 
  • Embed shared reading into your work: Whether you work with or care for young children yourself, or you work with organisations that do, think about what you can do to bring the magic of shared reading to them. Take a look at our resources to find useful tips and ideas.
  • Donate: Your donations fund our vital work to support families to read together. Donate to bring the life-changing benefits of reading to every child. 
  • Sign up: Share your email address to be kept updated about the Reading Rights campaign, and our other BookTrust influencing activity
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About the Reading Rights campaign

The Reading Rights campaign is Frank Cottrell-Boyce’s flagship project during his time as Waterstones Children’s Laureate (2024–2026). 

A multi award-winning children’s author and screenwriter, Frank has pledged to amplify the national conversation about the role books and reading for pleasure play in transforming children’s lives. 

My tenure as Waterstones Children’s Laureate will have happiness at its heart, but it will be about urgency. It will be about addressing invisible privilege and inequality.

Frank Cottrell-Boyce

Working with BookTrust, Frank will be hearing from people working on the frontline, bringing together partners from a range of sectors and advocating for the benefits of shared reading for all. 

Championing Reading Rights at parliament

Frank joined BookTrust’s parliamentary reception at the House of Lords to talk about how sharing stories can support children in kinship, foster care and adoption – and to find out how he can help.

I’m here today to listen. How are these children falling through the net?”

When you share a story, you’re giving a child a hug that will last the rest of their lives

Frank Cottrell-Boyce

Frank’s learning tour

Read more about Frank’s learning tour to discover more about how shared reading from the earliest years is changing lives. 

Education

Health

Community

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