“Books bring us together” 🩵
We’re so proud to share our new short film Stories That Connect Us, based on real conversations with children in adoption, foster care or kinship care.
We were able to capture some beautiful moments between families, showing just how powerful sharing books can be.
Thank you so much to all the children and families who took part, and to the wonderful @sissaylemn for providing the voiceover!
To find out more about how we support families in contact with the social care system, visit the link in our bio ✨
📢 NEW: Today we are proud to launch our brand new five-year strategy, Reading For a Brighter Future.
It sets out our ambitious vision of a world where no child misses out on the lifelong, transformative benefits of reading.
Follow the link in our bio to find out more!
📢 NEW: Our #ReadingRights report with Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate @frank_cottrellboyce is out now!
It shares five focus areas that will turn the tide on reading inequality and unveils plans for our City of Stories pilot.
And it calls on national and local leaders in early years, health, education and culture to come together and make reading a part of daily life for every child in the first seven years of life.
Follow the link in our bio to read it now!
---
Tags: #EarlyYears #ReadingTogether #SharedReading #SharingStories #BenefitsOfReading #ApparatusOfHappiness #ChildrensBooks
In #FosterCareFortnight, we’re sharing this clip of Amy Mercer from @heychildrensuni , who explains just why shared reading can be so powerful for children in foster care!
Have you experienced how shared reading can support bonding between a child and their caregiver? 📚
👉 One day on and we're feeling incredibly energised after @frank_cottrellboyce 's incredible Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate Lecture 'The Kids Are Not Alright', held at the Royal Institution!
What a powerful message from Frank about why it's urgent we all come together, across services, to make shared reading a reality for every family.
The challenges are real - from poverty to screen time. As Frank said: "In the age of connectivity, we’ve never felt so disconnected."
But there is also so much room for hope.
⭐ We felt it from our speakers - @baronessfloellabenjamin , child neuroscientist @profsamwass , Family Hubs Transformation Manager Nicola Parker at @knowsleycouncil , and the brilliant @sissaylemn reading a brand new poem by @alexwharton_ (plus in @chris_riddell 's beautiful live drawing).
⭐ We felt it in the standing ovation Frank received at the end of the Lecture, as the room buzzed with the energy of people feeling fired up to make a difference.
⭐ We felt it in the passionate conversations our guests had after the Lecture, coming together and connecting to talk about what we can do together.
So yes, there are challenges. But we can make a difference. Will you be part of the #ReadingRights movement?
Photos: Ross Fairgrieve
📢 Amazing, brilliant and fantastic news: we’re delighted to share that @frank_cottrellboyce will continue as our #ReadingRights ambassador beyond the end of his time as Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate!
The news was announced at the end of Frank’s Children’s Laureate Lecture, held at the Royal Institution last night.
✨ As Frank says: “It’s not finished. It’s got to be finished. It’s got to be done!”
"We're a species of rhythm, of storytelling. Of connection. We long for connection. We should do this because this is who we are."
We have had an amazing evening joining our Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce for his Lecture The Kids Are Not Alright.
✨ Frank spoke about all the wonderful work he's seen across the country to support families to read together.
And that's important. Because while our new Family Survey shows families value and enjoy reading together, daily shared reading has dropped - and two thirds of parents and carers report at least one challenge to sharing books with their child.
👉 Frank made it clear that this is urgent. But there was also cause for hope, as he was joined by brilliant speakers - Baroness Floella Benjamin, neuroscientist Professor Sam Wass, Nicola Parker from Knowsley Council, and Lemn Sissay - who read a brand new poem written by Alex Wharton specially for the Lecture.
Swipe through to see some of our highlights of the evening and stay tuned for more soon 👀
What teaching hill are you willing to die on? For me it’s that nothing can replace a physical book - and when kids get choice, it’s even better. That’s why I really like @booktrust ’s #Bookbuzz Primary programme - use the code MrPBonus10 to get a bonus pack of 10 books when you sign up at booktrust.org.uk/bookbuzz-primary-mr-p
"It's giving a child the gift of reading"
#Bookbuzz Primary gives pupils the chance to choose and keep a book they’ll love, from 16 expertly curated titles.
We spoke to some of the brilliant teachers and librarians who helped to select this year's books, to find out why they're so excited about this new programme 🤩
"Thank you for these books – they are very much appreciated and have had a big impact on a foster child’s life."
⭐ In #FosterCareFortnight, we're sharing how our #StoryExplorers programme is supporting foster families.
#StoryExplorers families receive six monthly kits, containing books and activities for them to enjoy together.
And parents and carers told us that it's helped to strengthen both their reading habits and their relationships ❤️
#FCF26 @thefosteringnetwork
ONE MONTH TO GO!
On Friday 12th June, thousands of children all around the country – in schools, nurseries, community groups and at home – will spend the day reading, enjoying, and sharing stories. Children will wear their pyjamas to raise vital funds to ensure every child has access to a story at bedtime. You can choose to celebrate on 12 June, or any day that suits you best.
Every school that registers for #Pyjamarama 2026, will be entered into a random prize draw. BookTrust will select a school from the list and they will win a bespoke literacy Wall Art project, designed by us!
Sign up now via our website (link in our bio).
#pyjamarama #booktrust @booktrust
