Children are falling out of love with reading — but Wantage Children’s Books Festival is fighting back!
A new, free children’s books festival comes to Wantage on Saturday 30 May amid growing concerns over screen time and the UK reading crisis.
Teachers and literacy charities are sounding the alarm over a growing reading crisis among children — with studies showing reading for pleasure to be at its lowest ever level, while screen time continues to soar.
Now, during the National Year of Reading, an exciting new event in Oxfordshire is aiming to change that. The Wantage Children’s Books Festival, taking place at The Beacon, Wantage on Saturday 30 May, will bring together authors, storytellers, illustrators and families for a full day dedicated to inspiring children to rediscover the joy of books and reading.
Organisers say the festival comes at a critical moment for young people. Fewer children than ever are reading for pleasure, while increasing numbers are spending many hours a day on phones, tablets and social media. Experts have linked declining reading habits to poorer focus and concentration, reduced speech and language abilities, to lower school readiness and worsening mental wellbeing.
The Wantage Children’s Books Festival wants to offer a different story to families.
With events from award-winning authors including Rob Biddulph, Iszi Lawrence, Jonathan Stroud and Serena Patel, the event will transform the Oxfordshire market town into a celebration of imagination and storytelling, with interactive live performances, creative workshops, readings and family activities designed to make books exciting for children of all ages.
The aim is not simply to entertain children for a day – but to help spark a lifelong love of reading.
Camilla Reid,Artistic Director of the festival said:
“Children are losing the habit of reading for pleasure and this has serious implications for cognitive development, emotional health and educational outcomes – and it will, inevitably, have consequences for us all as a nation, too.
This festival is about reminding families that reading is fun, relevant, and essential to all our lives. Stories build imagination, confidence and communication skills – and we want every child who comes to leave inspired to pick up a book, and to keep doing it. We’re so proud that our festival is absolutely free – so every family has a chance to be a part of it!”
Working closely with sponsors – the Wantage Literacy Festival and Mini Boden – and the Cambrian School Trust, the festival is particularly aimed at families who might not have attended a literary festival before, with organisers hoping it will become a flagship cultural event for the region. Tickets are free but must be reserved.
The event presents strong visual and interview opportunities for broadcasters and photographers, including:
- Large family audiences and children’s activities
- Author talks and live storytelling
- An interactive read-along for preschoolers
- Illustration workshops
- An exhibition of children’s work
- Colourful festival scenes in the heart of Wantage
Media outlets, photographers and broadcasters are invited to attend.
Find out more and grab tickets here: https://bit.ly/4u2JsJv