The latest report by the National Literacy Trust discloses that almost four million children in the UK do not own a book – one child in three.
The proportion has increased substantially since 2005, the last time the poll was conducted, when it stood at one child in 10.
The latest survey, which was based on a survey of 18,000 children aged between eight and 16, shows that boys are less likely than girls to own books.
The researchers also found that children who are eligible for free school meals – a measure of poverty – are less likely to own a book than their more wealthy peers.
The findings show that children who own books are more likely to perform better at school.
The literacy levels of children who do not own a book are almost three times more likely to be below the norm than those who do own books, the study found.
The researchers also concluded that 75% of children who read a book a week surpass the attainment level expected of them, compared with 28.6% of those who read no books at all.
According to Delyth Humphreys, Head of Children’s Books and Reading Promotion at the Welsh Books Council: “The National Literacy Trust survey is a matter of great concern, as the report shows that the number of books in the home is directly linked to children’s reading levels. The Welsh Books Council offers a number of projects – such as our World Book Day campaign – in order to inspire children to read and to highlight the enjoyment and pleasure gained through reading. We also run a number of competitions in the press, such as Book for Dads, which get books into homes and encourage families to read together. As the survey showed a strong link between reading ability and receiving books as gifts, it underlines the importance of the Give a Book initiative, part of our World Book Day activities in Wales.”
Some of Wales’s authors have responded to the report’s findings. Mared Llwyd, author and primary school teacher at Aberystwyth, said: “The statistics are somewhat shocking. As an author and teacher, I feel very sad that so many children are losing out on one of the most exciting and richest experiences life can offer, namely picking up a book and losing oneself in the world of books and stories.”
Kate Williams from Sarnau, Ceredigion, mother of a three year old son, noted: “This is a very sad situation – every child should be given an opportunity to experience the pleasure that reading gives. Either I or my husband Huw read to Steffan every night, and he loves to hear us bringing the story to life by using different voices.
‘Books and reading are vital to a child’s development, feeding the imagination and developing a wide vocabulary. Not all families are able to afford to buy books, but there are plenty available through Welsh book shops and local libraries – and even second- hand shops and fairs – so there really is no excuse for depriving children of the opportunity to enjoy books and reading.”
