As reading for pleasure hits worrying lows in Britain, the National Year of Reading 2026 campaign launches with advice from leading authors like Salman Rushdie and Helen Fielding on how to rediscover the joy of books.
New research reveals 70% of Brits believe children use fewer words than previous generations, with 74% blaming screen time for stunting speech development.
Experts reveal how deep reading can combat misinformation, reduce stress and loneliness, and strengthen critical thinking in our smartphone-dominated world.
Queen Camilla has launched a national year of reading initiative in Edinburgh, joining schoolchildren, authors and comic characters to address declining literacy rates among UK youth.
Queen Camilla launched the National Year of Reading in Scotland, starring in a special Beano comic strip with Dennis the Menace. She declared comics and audiobooks count as reading.
The Queen launched the first national year of reading since 2008 in Edinburgh, meeting schoolchildren and comic characters to tackle a literacy crisis. Discover how the campaign aims to reignite a passion for books.
Queen Camilla is featured in a Beano comic strip, championing the National Year of Reading. The royal, a lifelong fan, urged children that comics and audiobooks 'count' as reading.
Words like 'lass' and 'scran' are surging in use by over 200%, as regional slang goes national. Discover which outdated terms are back in vogue and why.
England captain Leah Williamson and author Richard Osman back the 'Go All In' campaign to reverse the sharp decline in reading for pleasure among UK children. Join the national mission.
Queen Camilla warns of an 'urgent' literacy crisis as global reading rates plummet. Her charity, The Queen's Reading Room, marks five years fighting to get people back into books.
Queen Camilla warns of a global reading crisis as rates plummet, especially among children. Her charity, The Queen's Reading Room, marks five years fighting for literacy.
Queen Camilla declares her literacy charity's mission 'more urgent than ever' as reading rates hit their lowest point. Her Reading Room marks five years with a new 'Make Room for Reading' drive.
Queen Camilla declares her mission to get people reading is 'more urgent than ever' as charity marks five years. New drive encourages just five minutes of daily reading.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson warns plummeting literacy rates threaten national security by leaving children exposed to sophisticated online disinformation from hostile states like Russia.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson warns plummeting literacy makes children vulnerable to sophisticated foreign disinformation online. A new national campaign aims to tackle the crisis.
The UK government declares 2026 a National Year of Reading to combat plummeting child literacy. New initiatives include a Children's Booker prize and library cards for newborns.
The UK government declares 2026 a National Year of Reading to combat plummeting reading rates among children. New initiatives include a Children's Booker prize and library cards for newborns.
Facing a decline in children reading for fun, UK parents are turning to ChatGPT, cookbooks, and dramatic performances to make storytime engaging again. Discover the innovative tactics reviving a love of literature.
Education specialists argue against patronising boys with 'boy books' and call for a broader approach to literacy. Discover how to truly engage young male readers.
Test your logic with The Guardian's Sudoku 7151, a medium-level puzzle perfect for Christmas Eve. Can you solve it? Put your skills to the test now!
Denmark's state postal service ends letter deliveries after 400 years, signalling a global decline. Could the UK's Royal Mail face a similar fate? Explore the cultural shift.
New analysis reveals the words Brits struggle to spell most, with 'colour' and 'favourite' leading the list. Is autocorrect to blame for our declining spelling skills?
Bestselling author Lee Child argues UK schools' focus on 'masterpieces' puts children off reading. He promotes prison literacy scheme to cut reoffending. Read his compelling case.
Hay Festival President Stephen Fry launches The Pleasure List campaign, urging book recommendations to reverse the UK's falling literacy and leisure reading rates. Join the national mission.
An advice columnist offers creative solutions for parents whose voracious young readers dismiss books based on cover art. Discover how to nurture a love of reading without making it a chore.
A sobering survey reveals 84% of American teenagers describe news media with negative words like 'biased' and 'fake'. Discover the causes and potential solutions for this crisis in news literacy.
MPs launch an urgent inquiry as children's reading for pleasure hits a 20-year low. Discover the causes and the committee's plan to reverse this alarming trend.
Queen Camilla and Geri Halliwell-Horner honoured global teen writing talent at the Commonwealth Essay Competition. Discover the inspiring winners and their journeys.
New research uncovers the words Brits struggle to say, with Irish names Niamh and Saoirse leading the list. Discover if you've been pronouncing them correctly.
Discover how reading fiction enhances empathy and cognitive function. Expert tips to overcome distractions and build a sustainable reading habit for a psychologically richer life.