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

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

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

The campaign will be about calling for national provision so that every child – from their earliest years – has access to books, reading and the transformative ways in which they improve long-term life chances.  

"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."

With the support of BookTrust, Frank will hear from people working on the frontline to make sharing stories a core part of childcare, education and support for disadvantaged and vulnerable children, showcasing their storytelling expertise and best practice. He will highlight how urgent government investment is needed to address the ‘invisible privilege’ that bypasses families and communities where reading is not part of daily life, and how this perpetuates cycles of inequality.

Frank will also be gathering evidence and powerful stories to present at a national summit, which will bring together expert voices in the political, educational, literary and early years sectors.

This page will tell you everything you need to know about the Reading Rights: Books Build a Brighter Future campaign and Frank Cottell-Boyce’s call for the government support in getting families reading together as early as possible, giving children the best start in life.