Wonderland Bookshop and the promotion of reading for pleasure amongst children and young people

Motion text

That this House congratulates Wonderland Bookshop in Retford for being awarded Children’s Bookseller of the Year in the British Book Awards; applauds their ambition of fostering a love of reading in children and young people; notes with concern that just one in three young people aged 8 to 18 said they enjoyed reading in their free time in 2025; further notes that reading for pleasure is associated with a range of benefits, including stronger writing skills, improved well-being and confidence, educational attainment, and increased social mobility; welcomes the launch of the National Year of Reading for 2026 which will bring together parents, schools, libraries, businesses, and the National Literacy Trust to reverse the decline in reading for pleasure; and calls on the Government to explore innovative measures to promote reading for pleasure amongst young people including mobile libraries, author residencies, family engagement projects, and support for diverse and inclusive literature.

The first 6 Members who have signed to support the motion are the sponsors. The primary sponsor is generally the person who tabled the motion and has responsibility for it. The date shown is when the Member signed the motion.