Some of my happiest childhood memories revolve around books and reading. Riding up front on the top deck of the bus on the way to the local library, where I couldn't believe I was allowed to bring home any book I fancied; taking my birthday book tokens to WH Smiths and spending a good hour choosing what to buy with them; and later escaping into a good book whenever times got tough (my addiction was the Sweet Valley High series by Francine Pascale).
Before my son was even born I had a library of books ready and waiting for him. Some of my favourite times are cuddled up at bedtime reading to him (or - pure joy - listening to him read to me). I'm delighted that he's currently a book lover but as he heads towards double figures, I wonder how long it will last.
New research from the National Literacy Trust (NLT) suggests that children’s enjoyment of books is at the lowest level for 20 years. Less than a third (32%) of those surveyed said they enjoyed reading "very much" or "quite a lot" in 2025. Compared to 2005, this marks a 36% drop in reading enjoyment.
"Over the last year, the decline has been especially steep among primary-aged children and boys, with boys aged 11 to 16 seeing the sharpest drop in reading enjoyment," said a spokesperson for the NLT.
This depressing reading as books not only help with vocab, your understanding the world and critical thinking, but there is also now research showing it improves mental heath and even physical heath. The National Literacy Trust found that the children least engaged with literacy are twice as likely to have low levels of mental wellbeing than their peers.
With my son, I've found that focusing on books that he genuinely loves rather than sees as homework has been key to helping read for pleasure - who says reading a comic, like the brilliant The Phoenix or the Beano (yes, it's still around!), doesn't count? Or how about listening to an audiobook?
If you're a parent or carer struggling to encourage your child to read, we've rounded up some guaranteed crowd-pleasers.
For 7 to 11 year olds
Bunny vs Monkey by Jamie Smart
My 7-year-old loves the anarchic energy of these comic strip books set in a woodland where the good animals battle the evil - with plenty of fart jokes thrown in! If they're already fans, the latest book in the series, Bunny vs Monkey: The Great Big Glitch is out on 10 October.
How To Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III is the ten-year-old son of a Viking chief who has been tasked with train a dragon as a rite of passage – otherwise he will be exiled from the tribe. Kids love the playfulness of these books and the storytelling is captivating - a good one for both boys and girls.
The Brilliant World Of Tom Gates by Liz Pichon
These are massive best-sellers and with good reason - they really get how kids think. Tom Gates loves pranks but they often land him in trouble as do his attempts to get away with the bare minimum at school. This relatable character and humour in this comic book makes it perfect for engaging reluctant readers.
High-Rise Mystery by Sharna Jackson
This page-turner has a really relatable, contemporary feel that will appeal to kids who might feel books aren't for them. After finding their community art teacher murdered, sisters Nik and Norva are determined to solve this terrible crime.
The Breakfast Club adventures by Marcus Rashford and Alex Falase-Koya, illustrated by Masrta Kissi
If anything is likely to encourage reluctant readers to pick up a book, it's this series from the England footballer. It's the story of 12-year-old Marcus and the adventures he gets involved in after a note invites him to join the Breakfast Club Investigators.
For 11-13 year olds
Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz
It's hard to compete with the adrenaline rush of gaming but Anthony Horowitz has nailed the high-action read for teenagers with his Alex Rider series. Fourteen-year-old Alex is recruited into MI6 and sent to investigate Herod Sayle, a man who is offering state-of-the-art Stormbreaker computers to every school in the country - but the teenage spy soon finds himself in terrible danger.
His Dark Materials: The Northern Lights by Philip Pullman
For pure escapism, Philip Pullman is hard to beat. Lyra and her animal daemon live a carefree life among the students of Jordan College, Oxford, until her uncle draws her into a quest that ends in a voyage to the Artic.
The Girl Who Became A Tree by Joseph Coehlo
For kids who find the idea of reading a whole book daunting, poetry can be an answer. These relatable, linked poems from the former Children's Laureate tell the story of Daphne who is mourning the loss of her dad and is addicted to her phone.
For 14-16 year olds
Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
If they've already watched the Netflix adaptation of this heart-warming graphic novel that could be an in to picking up the book. This brilliantly captures first love between an unlikely couple: rugby jock Nick and book-lover Charlie.
Empress & Aniya by Candice Carty-Williams
This YA novel from the author of smash-hit Queenie ticks a lot of boxes for teenagers: brilliant, relatable characters, written with wit and warmth. When Empress starts at Aniya’s school, they’re not exactly best friends but when the two girls accidentally cast a spell on their 16th birthday, they end up switching bodies and everything changes.
Gone by Michael Grant
These addictive books (there are 6 in the series) has the perfect level of tension and grisleyness to appeal to teenage boys. And what a premise: In the blink of an eye all the adults disappear in a small town in southern California and the kids who remain behind have to do whatever it takes to survive.
