Reading is a superpower. Children who read for pleasure develop stronger literacy skills, greater empathy, improved wellbeing, higher confidence and a deeper aptitude for learning, according to research from the National Literacy Trust.

Reading is also the single strongest factor in shaping a child’s future life chances – more influential even than socioeconomic background or parents’ levels of education.

And it’s not just children who benefit. Regular adult readers are significantly more likely to feel happy, relaxed and connected to their community, the Reading Agency has found.

In short, books build better lives.

Richard Porritt, Newsquest regional editor (Image: Newsquest)

But modern distractions are like Kryptonite. Here in the East of England, just one in three children and young people aged eight to 18 now enjoy reading in their free time.

Nationally, fewer than one in five read something daily in 2025 – the lowest levels on record.

We want to change that. Which is why we are launching Born & Read in Norfolk – a campaign delivered in partnership with the National Centre for Writing and sponsored by YouGarden.

The campaign is designed to ignite a renewed passion........

© Eastern Daily Press