Teachers, librarians, authors, and researchers explore how to get the right book in the right hands at the right time
In this one-hour panel discussion, you will join contributors to the summer issue of the EA Newsletter to continue the discussion around reading for pleasure.
With evidence that reading for pleasure is more important for children’s cognitive development than their parents’ level of education and is a more powerful factor in life achievement than socio-economic background (Sullivan and Brown, 2013), reading becomes a social justice issue. Since the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the reading gap and reading for pleasure is in steady decline in the UK, it has never been more important to encourage, empower and motivate children and young people to read. Most importantly, the research shows that it is teachers who will make the difference; teacher enthusiasm and teachers’ stimulation of reading engagement are the teaching practices most strongly (and positively) associated with students’ enjoyment of reading (PISA, 2018).
This conversation with academics education experts will provide you with a pinch of pedagogical support, a dash of food for thought and oodles of practical advice.
Our speakers are:
Dr Deborah Thacker
Dr Deborah Cogan Thacker is an academic whose research focuses on Reader Response theory and children’s literature. She is currently a field researcher for Cheltenham Festival’s Reading Teachers = Reading Pupils programme, teaches children’s literature to American undergraduates abroad, and is co-chair of Governors of a small rural primary school. She also serves on the Board of Cheltenham Festivals, the David Vaisey Trust, MakeBelieve Arts and the Gloucestershire Libraries Advisory Board.
Jake Hope
Jake Hope was the Reading and Learning Development Manager for Lancashire Libraries, one of the largest library authorities in the UK. He has judged nearly every major children’s book award in the UK, and has chaired numerous promotional selection panels. Alongside delivering training and public speaking on books and reading, Jake is an active reviewer, speaker and passionate advocate for libraries, books, and reading. Jake is past-chair of the Youth Libraries Group, and is the awards executive for the UK’s oldest children’s book awards the Yoto Carnegies
Chris Brown
Chris Brown is the Reading Lead at the Phoenix Learning Alliance.
Kat Wood
Kat Wood is the Reading Lead at Upton St Leonards C of E Primary School.
Useful links
Reading Teachers = Reading Pupils RTRP is a national network of teachers reading groups designed to inspire children to read for pleasure because research shows that children who read for pleasure experience high levels of well-being, engage in learning and are successful in life. Contact: Rebecca.smith@cheltenhamfestivals.com
Speakers for Schools: we run a National Teen Book Club with Penguin, an online book club with penguin for 11+ with author Q&As
