The campaign highlights the benefits of reading to cognitive development, connection and mental wellbeing.
Research suggests that more people read for pleasure in Guernsey than in the UK, where it has fallen to an all-time low.
‘While it’s really good news that results are a bit more positive in Guernsey, there’s still lots more that can be done, and we want to support that and reignite people’s passion for reading,’ said Cornelia James, chief librarian of the Guille-Alles Library.
The library has partnered with a number of organisations – including the States’ Early Years Team, Bright Beginnings, the Guernsey Literary Festival and Guernsey Arts – on a steering group planning an extensive programme of reading events and activities this year.
‘The tagline of the campaign is “go all in”. If you’re into it, read into it. Reading isn’t a chore, it’s something really joyful, a way to discover more about your passion.’
St Martin’s Primary School deputy head John Lilley led a special assembly yesterday afternoon which encouraged pupils to learn more about the world around them by reading books on different cultures.
‘We’re really passionate about reading at our school,’ he said.
‘We understand that it underpins everything in terms of helping children be successful in life. We’ve changed our reading scheme into a reading challenge.
‘The idea is to get children to open their minds to different characters and different worlds. It’s been very exciting and they’ve responded really well.’
Education, Sport & Culture president Paul Montague joined the assembly to help kick-start the campaign.
He told the youngsters that reading was one of the best habits they could develop and the closest they could get to having a 'mind-reading superpower'.
‘Sometimes we get so enmeshed in modern technology that we forget that there’s no replacement for reading,’ said Deputy Montague.
‘When I was teaching from 11 to 18, youngsters who regularly read found so many tasks at school easier. All the evidence shows that if you can read, you develop resilience and your mental health is better.
‘Novels are a really good way of understanding other people. And it’s so important for youngsters to understand, get out of their own brains and develop their imagination.
‘It doesn’t have to be novels, and it’s not just children.
‘Parents are spending so long on screens, we are not modelling good behaviour for our young people.
‘This year, it’s about everything we can do to encourage reading, and we’re so lucky to have the Guille-Alles library – what a great resource.’
Eight-year-old St Martin’s pupil Juno Bamford said that she and her older brother read more than their parents.
‘I love reading because it always takes you to new worlds,’ she said.
‘And there’s always something else to read. My older brother loves history, he’s basically an encyclopedia.
‘He has loads of bookshelves. My parents do read, but not as much as him.’
Ruth Sharp, head of the States’ Early Years team, stressed the importance of reading for early development. She said it helped with language skills and key areas of physical development.
‘Sharing books and reading stories right from birth is such a wonderful way of connecting and tuning in,’ she said.
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