📰 Adult Literacy News Summary
Beyond Harry Potter: five books you can enjoy together as a whole family
26-Aug-2026 - UK
Most adults are well aware of the benefits that come with reading with children. Storytime with kids can improve their literacy and develop their communication skills. Research also shows children love being read to even up until young adulthood. Beyond well-known classics such as Harry Potter, it can be challenging to find stories that everyone in the family wants to read together. Parents might default to books they loved when they were younger. But this means families may be missing out on some great stories published more recently.
Read moreYour child seems distracted while studying? These overlooked vision problems could be making reading and learning harder
23-Aug-2026 - India
A child who keeps looking away from a book, loses their place while reading or avoids homework may quickly be labelled "careless" or "not attentive". But sometimes, the child is struggling with something they cannot explain: seeing comfortably. As ophthalmic surgeon Dr Mustafa A. Parekh of Saifee Hospital, Mumbai, explained, vision plays a much bigger role in learning than simply seeing clearly from a distance.
Read moreEssex Libraries launch Read On app to encourage reading
22-Aug-2026 - UK
A new reading app has been launched in Essex to help people build positive reading habits. Read On encourages users through fun, goal-based challenges and rewards. Developed by Libraries Connected and London Libraries, the national app now includes a bespoke, Essex-branded version as part of Essex Libraries’ subscription to the platform. By taking a similar approach to the popular Couch to 5K fitness programme, the app guides users to gradually make reading a regular part of their routine. It is designed to make reading accessible and enjoyable for people of all ages and abilities.
Read moreFree books giveaway to boost children's reading
21-Aug-2026 - UK
Thousands of free books will be given away this weekend to encourage more children to read. Volunteers in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield will hand out 4,000 books on Saturday 22 August as part of the Festival of Reading. It comes as research from The National Literacy Trust, external found that Yorkshire and the Humber had one of the lowest percentages of book ownership in the UK, with only 85.3% of respondents saying they had a book of their own at home
Read moreWhat does Labour’s GCSE resit shake-up mean for young people and parents?
20-Aug-2026 - UK
The education secretary has laid out plans to change the GCSE resit system as she pledged to end the “treadmill of failure” for hundreds of thousands of young people. Around 200,000 young people do not score a grade of 4 or above (formerly a C) in both their English and Maths exams every year. This is nearly a third (30 per cent) of the 650,000 pupils receiving their results on Thursday. Getting a grade 4 in the two core subjects is often a condition for starting further education or apprenticeships, meaning these students often have fewer opportunities available until they achieve a higher grade. But only 17 per cent of pupils resitting maths increased their grade last summer, and 21 per cent of those resitting English, leading to a “conveyor belt” of resits, Lucy Powell said.
Read moreLiteracy experts share 10 easy tips to help kids read more at home
20-Aug-2026 - UK
Building strong reading habits at home is one of the most powerful gifts you can give your child, with benefits extending far beyond the page. According to new research by children’s publisher Nosy Crow, children who read independently every day develop double the reading stamina of irregular readers. Crucially, this daily habit boosts focus across a wide range of tasks, helping youngsters concentrate on school homework for nearly 40 per cent longer, alongside improvements in creative play, puzzles, and sports.
Read moreBadger Learning doubles reading book donation pledge
19-Aug-2026 - UK
A local publisher has doubled its book donation pledge to support children's literacy. King’s Lynn-based Badger Learning made the commitment as part of the National Year of Reading, having already hit its initial target of £10,000 in just seven months. The company, which specialises in accessible, high-interest books for children who find reading difficult, has been working with schools, charities and national organisations to get books into the hands of young readershttps://www.wymondhamandattleboroughmercury.co.uk/news/26478943.badger-learning-doubles-reading-book-donation-pledge/
Read moreLNER Urges Charities to Apply for Community Funding Before Applications Close
16-Aug-2026 - UK
A final call is going out for charities across the East Coast Main Line, encouraging them to apply for funding from LNER’s 2027 Customer & Community Investment Fund (CCIF). Grants of up to £10,000 are available to small and medium-sized charities based within 15 miles of the LNER route, with applications set to close on 31 August 2026. The National Literacy Trust also received funding for its Bradford-based literacy trail project. ‘Benny’s Big Adventure’ Story Quest inspired families to find out more about the 2025 UK City of Culture while promoting reading and learning across the district. The initiative generated a social value of more than £350,000. Mike Leyland, Senior Programme Manager at the National Literacy Trust, said: "With support from LNER, our Benny’s Big Adventure Story Quest encouraged families to read together while discovering their city in a fun and imaginative way."
Read moreLocal charity Read Easy to hold book swap event
14-Aug-2026 - UK
Read Easy Southampton & Isle of Wight are holding a book swap at Southampton Central Library on Sat 22 Aug, from 11am – 2pm. Attendees are invited to bring fiction books for adults that are in good condition, and choose the same number for free. For those not swapping, there’s a charge of £1 per book. All money raised will go to the charity Read Easy Southampton & IOW who help adults learn to read or improve their reading skills. They provide free, confidential one to one coaching. Most all – chat to others enthused about books! The Patron of the charity, local author Claire Gradidge will also be there to meet and greet those attending.
Read moreRead Easy Norfolk pledges to help adults learn to read
13-Aug-2026 - UK
For many people, reading is part of everyday life – when working, shopping, travelling, communicating or enjoying a good book. Yet one in six (18pc) of adults aged 16 to 65 in England have "very poor" literacy skills. That means there are more than six million people for whom reading remains a challenge. That is where Read Easy Norfolk steps in. The local charity was set up in 2022 to offer free, confidential one-to-one reading coaching for adults and is part of a national network called Read Easy UK
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