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Read for Good: motivating kids to love reading and helping disadvantaged children.

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Read for Good encourages children to love reading. We work in schools and hospitals across the UK to make reading accessible and fun.

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The importance of reading

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We want to create a world where everyone is reading their way to a better life. Research shows that reading for pleasure can promote better health and wellbeing, aids in building social connections and relationships with others and is associated with a range of factors that help increase the chances of social mobility.

Read our reports into the benefits of reading for pleasure and empowerment (BOP Consulting, 2015) and of creating a society of readers (Demos, 2018), or explore more reading facts below.

Skills and Learning
Children The need for our work

Statistics from 2014 show that one in five children in England cannot read well by the age of 11.

Further research, conducted in 2015, found that similar percentages of 15-year-olds across the UK do not have a minimum level of literacy proficiency: 18% in England and Scotland, 15% in Northern Ireland and 21% in Wales.

Students are less able to learn other curricula if they do not develop sufficient reading skills by the middle of primary school.

Only 35% of 10-year-olds in England report that they like reading 'very much'. This lags behind countries like Russia (46%), Ireland (46%), New Zealand (44%), and Australia (43%).

By the final year of compulsory schooling in England, the reading skills of children from disadvantaged backgrounds are on average almost three years behind those from the most affluent homes.

Proven power of reading

Reading for pleasure is more important for children's cognitive development than their parents' level of education and is a more powerful factor in life achievement than socio-economic background.
16-year-olds who choose to read books for pleasure outside of school are more likely to secure managerial or professional jobs in later life.

Having books in the home is associated with both reading enjoyment and confidence. Of children who report having fewer than 10 books in their homes, 42% say they do not like reading and only 32% say they are 'very confident' readers. For children who report having over 200 books at home, only 12% say they do not like reading and 73% consider themselves 'very confident' readers.

Children who read books often at age 10 and more than once a week at age 16 gain higher results in maths, vocabulary and spelling tests at age 16 than those who read less regularly.

Adults The need for our work

In England, 31% of adults don't read in their free time, rising to 46% of young people (aged 16 to 24).

Around 5.8 million people (16% of adults) in England and Northern Ireland score at the lowest level of proficiency in literacy (at or below Level 1).

Low levels of literacy cost the UK an estimated £81 billion a year in lost earnings and increased welfare spending, impacting on 'the success of the economy as a whole'.

Adults with lower levels of literacy are more likely to believe that they have little impact on political processes, and are less likely to participate in volunteer activities.

Proven power of reading

Per capita incomes are higher in countries where more adults reach the highest levels of literacy proficiency and fewer adults are at the lowest levels of literacy.

Reading extensively and for pleasure can foster the development of stronger reading habits and increase literacy skills at a greater rate than through formal literacy lessons.

Connected Communities
The need for our work

Feelings of loneliness cut across all age groups. About 5% of all adults report feeling lonely 'often' or 'always', with the number rising to 10% for 16-24-year-olds.

People who are single, widowed, or in poor health are among those at increased risk of feeling lonely more often.

Loneliness can cause serious physical harm: the health impacts are believed to be on the level of obesity or smoking.

Proven power of reading

19% of readers say that reading stops them from feeling lonely. This is backed up by a study analysing social connectedness which found that reading books significantly reduces feelings of loneliness for people aged 18-64.

Participation in shared reading groups is linked to enhanced relaxation, calmness, concentration, quality of life, confidence and self-esteem, as well as feelings of shared community and common purpose.

Higher literacy skills are associated with a range of positive societal benefits, including having a stronger sense of belonging to society and being more likely to trust others.

Studies have found that reading for pleasure enhances empathy, understanding of the self, and the ability to understand one's own and others' identities. For example, reading Harry Potter has been shown to improve children's attitudes toward stigmatized groups such as immigrants, refugees, and members of the LGBT community.

Health and Wellbeing
The need for our work

Each week about 1 in 6 adults in the UK are affected by a common mental health disorder.

Children with reading difficulties are at greater risk of developing mental health problems later in life, including depression, anxiety, behavioural problems, anger and aggression.

Non-readers are 28% more likely to report feelings of depression, and about 1.3 million people in the UK say they rarely read because of depression.

Proven power of reading

An online poll of over four thousand people from a representative sample in the UK revealed that regular readers for pleasure reported fewer feelings of stress and depression than non-readers, and stronger feelings of relaxation from reading than from watching television or engaging with technology intensive activities.

Studies have shown that those who read for pleasure have higher levels of self-esteem and a greater ability to cope with difficult situations. Reading for pleasure was also associated with better sleeping patterns.

Adults who read for just 30 minutes a week are 20% more likely to report greater life satisfaction.

References

1. [DfE (2015) Reading: the next steps p.13]↩
2. [OECD (2016), Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA): Results from PISA 2015, United Kingdom p.3]↩
3. [DfE (2016) DfE strategy 2015-20: World-class education and care p.24]↩
4 [McGrane et al. (2017) Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS): National Report for England p. 102]↩
5 [Jerrim, J, and N. Shure (2016) Achievement of 15-Year-Olds in England: PISA 2015 National Report DfE p. 105]↩
6 [Sullivan and Brown (2013) Social inequalities in cognitive scores at age 16: The role of reading]↩
7 [Taylor (2011) Reading at 16 linked to better job prospects]↩
8 [McGrane et al. (2017) Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS): National Report for England p. 16]↩
9 [OECD (2010) PISA 2009 Results: Learning to Learn: Student Engagement, Strategies and Practices p. 32-4]↩
10 [DCMS (2018) Taking Part Survey: Free Time Activities Focus Report, 2017/18 p. 2]↩
11 [OECD (2013) England & Northern Ireland (UK): Country Note--Survey of Adult Skills First Results p. 6]↩
12 [World Literacy Foundation (2015) The Economic and Social Cost of Illiteracy p. 13]↩
13 [OECD (2013) England & Northern Ireland (UK) - Country Note -Survey of Adult Skills first results p. 3]↩
14 [OECD (2013) OECD Skills Outlook 2013: First Results From the Survey of Adult Skills]↩
15 [Hilhorst, S, et al. (2018) A Society of Readers Demos p. 26]↩
16 [Hilhorst, S, et al. (2018) A Society of Readers Demos p. 32]↩
17 [Hilhorst, S, et al. (2018) A Society of Readers Demos p. 32]↩
18 [DHSC (2018) Prevention is better than cure p. 10]↩
19 [Billington, J (2015) Reading between the Lines: the Benefits of Reading for Pleasure Quick Reads University of Liverpool p. 6]↩
20 [Hilhorst, S, et al. (2018) A Society of Readers Demos p. 12]↩
21 [Longden E., Davis P., Billington J., et al (2015) Shared Reading: Assessing the intrinsic value of a literature-based intervention Medical Humanities, 41 (2), pp. 113-20]↩
22 [OECD (2013) Skills Outlook 2013: First Results from the Survey of Adult Skills]↩
23 [Billington, J, (2015) Reading between the Lines: the Benefits of Reading for Pleasure Quick Reads University of Liverpool]↩
24 [Vezzali, L., Stathi, S., Giovannini, D., Capozza, D., & Trifiletti, E. (2015) The greatest magic of Harry Potter: Reducing prejudice Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 45(2), 105-121.]↩
25 [Hilhorst, S, et al. (2018) A Society of Readers Demos p. 30]↩
26 [Boyes, M. E., Leitao, S., Claessen, M., Badcock, N. A., and Nayton, M. (2016) Why Are Reading Difficulties Associated with Mental Health Problems? in Dyslexia, 22: 263-266]↩
27 [Billington, J (2015) Reading between the Lines: the Benefits of Reading for Pleasure Quick Reads, University of Liverpool p. 5-6]↩
28 [Billington, J, (2015) Reading between the Lines: the Benefits of Reading for Pleasure Quick Reads, University of Liverpool]↩
29 [Billington, J, (2015) Reading between the Lines: the Benefits of Reading for Pleasure Quick Reads, University of Liverpool]↩
30 [Billington, J, (2015) Reading between the Lines: the Benefits of Reading for Pleasure Quick Reads, University of Liverpool p. 7]↩

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We want to create a world where everyone is reading their way to a better life. Research shows that reading for pleasure can promote better health and wellbeing, aids in building social connections and relationships with others and is associated with a range of factors that help increase the chances of social mobility.

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Follow this advice to help primary-aged children read at home. There's further resources available online at Online education resources: English resources.

1. Encourage your child to read

Reading helps your child's wellbeing, develops imagination and has educational benefits too. Just a few minutes a day can have a big impact on children of all ages.

2. Read aloud regularly

Try to read to your child every day. It's a special time to snuggle up and enjoy a story. Stories matter and children love re-reading them and poring over the pictures. Try adding funny voices to bring characters to life.

3. Encourage reading choice

Give children lots of opportunities to read different things in their own time - it doesn't just have to be books. There's fiction, non-fiction, poetry, comics, magazines, recipes and much more. Try leaving interesting reading material in different places around the home and see who picks it up.

4. Read together

Choose a favourite time to read together as a family and enjoy it. This might be everyone reading the same book together, reading different things at the same time, or getting your children to read to each other. This time spent reading together can be relaxing for all.

5. Create a comfortable environment

Make a calm, comfortable place for your family to relax and read independently - or together.

6. Make use of your local library

Libraries in England are able to open from 4 July, so visit them when you're able to and explore all sorts of reading ideas. Local libraries also offer brilliant online materials, including audiobooks and ebooks to borrow. See Libraries Connected for more digital library services and resources.

7. Talk about books

This is a great way to make connections, develop understanding and make reading even more enjoyable. Start by discussing the front cover and talking about what it reveals and suggests the book could be about. Then talk about what you've been reading and share ideas. You could discuss something that happened that surprised you, or something new that you found out. You could talk about how the book makes you feel and whether it reminds you of anything.

8. Bring reading to life

You could try cooking a recipe you've read together. Would you recommend it to a friend? Alternatively, play a game where you pretend to be the characters in a book, or discuss an interesting article you've read.

9. Make reading active

Play games that involve making connections between pictures, objects and words, such as reading about an object and finding similar things in your home. You could organise treasure hunts related to what you're reading. Try creating your child's very own book by using photos from your day and adding captions.

10. Engage your child in reading in a way that suits them

You know your child best and you'll know the best times for your child to read. If they have special educational needs and disabilities ( SEND) then short, creative activities may be the way to get them most interested. If English is an additional language, encourage reading in a child's first language, as well as in English. What matters most is that they enjoy it.

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10 top tips for parents to support children to read

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Follow this advice to help primary-aged children read at home. There's further resources available online at Online education resources: English resources. Reading helps your child's wellbeing, develops imagination and has educational benefits too. Just a few minutes a day can have a big impact on children of all ages.

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Learning to read with phonics? Click the '+' for advice.

Learning to read with phonics

If you live in England, your child will learn to read using phonics. Their school is very likely to use either the Letters and Sounds phonics framework or the Read Write Inc. programme. Check with your school if you're not sure which one they use.

Using Letters and Sounds?

If your child is using Letters and Sounds, you can find this list of eBooks by Letters and Sounds Phases useful. Bear in mind the following:

If you don't know your child's Phase, you can check with your school. As a guide, most Reception children will be on Phases 1-4 and most Year 1 children will be on Phases 4-5. Beyond Phase 5, your child will be able to decode most books.

In Letters and Sounds, there are 'sets' within the Phases - so your child might not know all the sounds in every book within their Phase.

Some series contain occasional 'tricky words' that your child can't decode using phonics. Use the inside front cover notes to teach your child these words before they start the book.

Find out more about Letters and Sounds >

Using Read Write Inc. Phonics?
If your child is being taught to read using the Read Write Inc. programme, you can find books suitable for them by clicking on the 'Levels' menu below and using the 'Read Write Inc.' filter to select the right level.

Find more support and resources for Read Write Inc. in our parents' guide to Read Write Inc. >

Looking for printed books for phonics practice at home?

Not reading to practise phonics?

Sharing books and independent reading

If your child is reading simply for enjoyment, comprehension, or practice, just browse the library or use any of the other filters. You can check which level is right for your child with this simple test from Read with Oxford.

Reading for pleasure

Are you a teacher? Find out about the Oxford Owl for School eBook library.

More available on Oxford Owl for School

Schools who are registered with Oxford Owl can provide pupils with access to an additional 30 Oxford Primary eBooks, plus a separate library of 50 Read Write Inc. titles all for free using a class login associated with their Oxford Owl for School.
How to set up a class login >

If you need more eBooks, Oxford Owl for School has introduced a new annual subscription of up to 550 titles. For more information, please visit the OUP website.

Are you looking for your class login?

Accessing your class eBook library from home

The class log in link has moved. If your teacher has given you login details to use your class library at home, please use the log in link at the very top of this page and select 'Students'.

sign up log in

Songbirds

Levelled phonics books from the fabulous Julia Donaldson, author of The Gruffalo.

Read Write Inc. Phonics

A step-by-step phonics programme to support reading. Learn at home with Read Write Inc. Phonics

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Free eBook library | Oxford Owl from Oxford University Press

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Browse our library of free children's eBooks to read with your child including Oxford Reading Tree adventures with Biff, Chip and Kipper.

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Reading has the power to change lives. Vooks inspires a love of reading by making books accessible to children of all levels, and all learning abilities.

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Sign up for Vooks and get endless access to animated storybooks.

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Teach Your Monster: Free Phonics, Reading and Mathematics Games

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Help children learn with our free, award-winning reading, mathematics and phonics games.

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Here you can find lots of lovely interactive books to read online or watch with signing.

There are classic children's stories that we think you and your family will love, including Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy by Lynley Dodd to Owl Babies by Martin Waddell and Patrick Benson, along with newer favourites such as Chris Haughton's Oh No, George! and Everybunny Dance! by Ellie Sandall.
Our storybooks and games are free to use, however some older devices aren't able to support them. You can also watch our Storytime playlist on YouTube read by the likes of Ore Oduba, Adam Buxton, Fearne Cotton and many more.
We also have lots of free online games for children to enjoy. Whether you're after number games, puzzle games, colouring or interactive storybooks, there are lots of fun activities to try!

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Stories for kids online and fun games to play

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Find kids' books to read online for free, including classic children's stories like Hairy Maclary and Owl Babies, and play our fun online games - from number games to colouring.

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Browse Children's Books By Age | LoveReading4Kids

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Browse Children's Books By Age On LoveReading4Kids