Friday 8 March 2019

World Book Day week - how can children find books they really love?

by Paula Harrison


Cupcakes with book covers - a perfect combination! Pic taken at a SCBWI party.


The week of World Book Day (and often the week before and after it) see many authors scurrying around the country armed with notes and power points and a myriad of props, ready to entertain and inspire lots of children during school visits. I've been doing a bit of scurrying myself and enjoying the chance to meet readers which is always brilliant at any time of year. Seeing so many children in such a short space of time, gives me lots of opportunities to find out what they're reading, what they think of books and generally reflect on who I'm writing for.

So I wanted to blog about all this and I have a few thoughts in no particular order...

Firstly, I think access to books and access to a wide range of books is a problem and probably one which is worsening. When asked what they like best to read, many children will list the same books on the bestseller lists - well there's a reason that they're bestsellers! Dig a little deeper and I've found that the children referencing these books often own few books or own none at all. They know the book through borrowing it from the school library or being read to in their class. They're not always getting the opportunity to try out a broader range of books on different topics and genres. This also has implications for diversity in books which we know is already a problem that many publishers are trying to address.

It feels to me as if the range of books being presented to many children is narrowing. I think this is a problem for young readers and could disadvantage them in the future. Not everyone likes the same kind of thing. Yet if children are being offered the same small range over a number of years they may never develop the same love of reading as they would have if they'd been offered the chance to try a wide mix. They may never find that particular kind of book that they love so much it turns them into a reader. Children should choose from all kinds of family stories, nature stories, stories with fantastical kingdoms or fairy tale characters, and more! Where are these alternative books? They're already out there, actually. There's a huge range of different children's fiction and non-fiction being published that's fantastic quality. Publishers are continuing to try new ideas and new voices in the hope of a book breaking through. But I worry that in the current climate they will eventually narrow their lists and the range will narrow for good.

So who are our readers and what do they want? Going round schools, many of whom also have book fairs during WBD week I also noticed that I'm not just writing for the children. I'm writing for the parents and grandparents who buy the books and influence their children's decision. Some may prefer a name they know or a celebrity name which gives them a sense of safety. They feel they know what they're getting when they part with their money. So is there a way that we can help parents and grandparents feel more reassured when they take a chance on a book their child wants even though they don't recognise the name? I think booksellers and librarians have an important role here, making recommendations and writing those little notes on the book shop shelves - something that I have seen working in my local Waterstones book shop and something I know many indie book shops do so well.

So we as authors are not just writing for children, but for parents and for the gatekeepers - the publishers, booksellers, librarians and teachers that may champion our story. I've heard writers talking many times about how they worry their book may not be picked up because it's "too quiet". In other words, it doesn't have that big commercial hook. I would argue, that certainly in the middle grade book (aged 9 +) category it's the "quiet" books where a debut author may find a space for themselves. Those writers who have carved a living by writing the "big commercial hook" type stories - often humorous stories in the vein of Roald Dahl - are having the tougher time. That space has been taken mainly by celebrity authors who lend their name to books that are often ghost written.

This is a book shelf at a well known supermarket, picture taken by a fellow writer. All one kind of book. All celebrity authors.
Image may contain: 1 person


So where do we go from here? How do we continue to offer children a wide range of books so that they can learn to love reading with all the benefits that brings? I don't have all the answers to this but I believe libraries must play a crucial role in solving the problem. Lots of us have been trying to fight for libraries for a long time but we must keep going - this issue is too important for us to give up.

11 comments :

  1. I agree about range narrowing. I was surprised, visiting a school recently, that many children didn't seem to know many authors apart from the usual suspects (Walliams, Rowling). Most kids only see books in a supermarket or WHSmiths, so of course they only see a limited range, and if these don't happen to engage their imagination they are stuck. Children need a range of books, just as they need a varied diet.

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    1. Yes lots of towns have no indie or Waterstones! And with libraries closing I sometimes feel pessimistic on this subject.

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  2. Well said, Paula! I've worked in so many schools where the access is dictated by the teachers who have no time to read widely and rely on book packs ordered by anyone who has the time. Our library service used to go round talking to kids and teachers about the latest books and the range out there but that was cut. Access is crucial and the dedicated professionals who can also spread the words!

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    1. With reading for pleasure one of the greatest drivers of educational achievement we need to reverse these library cuts so we don't let children down.

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  3. Wonderful post, Paula. This is part of the reason we set up Book Pen Pals (www.bookpenpals.com / @bookpenpals). The programme can only reach a few hundred schools at the moment but once the digital arm is up and running later in the year that should increase to thousands. I hope it will help the issue but there is no substitute for libraries and specialist librarians as you rightly point out...let’s hope we can reverse the devastating effect of their removal.

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    1. I must join, Kate. I've been meaning to. I will get in touch with you.

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    2. It would be fantastic to have you on the team, Paula! If you want to get in touch you can reach me via kateandsara@bookpenpals.com or my Twitter account (KateScottWriter) or the @BookPenPals account.

      Thank you for the excellent post on such a vital subject.

      And have a lovely weekend.

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  4. Thanks for highlighting this topic, Paula. We can champion diverse books as much as we like, but unless they're finding their way into reader's hands it won't do much good. The preponderance of celebrity authors in the UK middle grade market feels like short-termism, from a nervous publishing industry trying to cash in on a trend. Let's not forget, many of these authors were writing adult books a few years ago, and will probably drift back again once the kidlit bubble bursts.

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    1. Yes, I feel that the 'anything that gets them reading is good' argument ignores the issues over the narrowing range of books accessed by children.

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  5. A very interesting post, Paula. I know Nosy Crow work hard to get some of their titles on to the supermarket shelves but it's difficult. Some of the initiatives on twitter, like Kate's are helping, school book clubs, the @PrimarySchoolBC, breakfast clubs etc but they rely on inspiring teachers going the extra mile to promote reading for pleasure. The teacher/author/illustrator community on twitter is working hard to make changes and promote a variety of books. I just don't understand the publishing/bookseller side.

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  6. Oh so much of my work has been damned as 'too quiet'. Brilliant article, Paula.

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