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The Magic of Reading

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Welcome to our Magic of Reading page. We held a very exciting week in July to share all the wonderful resources and strategies that are available locally and nationally to promote the benefits of reading to professionals, parents, families, and communities. 

Through the week, we explored all the benefits of reading at all ages and stages, from bonding with babies to developing strong reading-for-pleasure practices in schools and families. We hoped that you will be inspired by the great practice in Norfolk and that the sessions will strengthen your understanding of the power of reading to nurture relationships, build empathy, and improve happiness and wellbeing.

The week marked the start of a long-term initiative to help professionals and parents navigate the wonderful sources of support that are be available both locally and nationally to help develop a love for reading and reading habits, enabling all our children and young people to flourish and shine.

BookTrust - Welcome and Keynote - Lisa Eldret and Diana Gerald MBE 

Join BookTrust in this welcome to a wonderful week of joyful reading for our Norfolk professionals and communities. The keynote outlines BookTrust's journey to make shared reading and storytelling a part of all children's lives 

The Greatness of Graphic Novels  -  Richard Ruddick, Avenue Junior School 

Join local teacher, Richard Ruddick to look at how using graphic novels in the classroom, and having them available in libraries, can help to develop more confident readers. In this video Richard explores how he has used graphic novels himself and offers practical ideas that can be easily implemented and can be highly effective. 

Book Dispensary: prescriptions for happier, more confident readers - Em Kuntze, Kett's Books 

There's nothing better than seeing a child getting really invested in a book. But finding the book that grips them isn't always easy - and with the percentage of children saying they enjoy reading for pleasure at an all-time low, it feels like an urgent problem. In this session, Em Kuntze, director at community bookshop Kett's Books in Wymondham, will present 'prescriptions' for common reading dilemmas: from moving beyond the Gruffalo and the Wimpy Kid, to engaging reluctant readers, and much more besides. She'll share the initiative they're pioneering, and you'll leave with a toolkit to help inspire your young people in their own reading adventures. 

Reading as a way to support attachment and connection - Helen Peck, Virtual School for Sensory Support, NCC 

This session looks at the importance of early attachment experiences, the importance of emotionally available adults for young people who have experienced developmental trauma, and how reading can be used as a supportive activity. 

Impactful Reading Events - Nick Oram from The National Literacy Trust 

In this session Nick shares details of the reading for pleasure events that Young Readers Programme schools have delivered across the UK and discusses what makes an impactful reading event for children. 

How PEEP Talk supports shared reading for pleasure -  Lindsey Symington, Early Years NCC 

Find out more about how PEEP TALK groups are supporting parents all over Norfolk to support their children's speech, language and communication development. In this session Lindsey shares more about how running a PEEP group in your school or setting can enhance relationships between parents and nursery and reception staff, and lead to positive impacts on children's outcomes. 

Choice and Voice - Apryl Markham-Uden and Adam McGee,  Children's Librarians NCC 

Using their experience as Children's Librarians, Adam and Apryl talk about the importance and benefit of letting children make their own reading choices by allowing them to read what they want.  They'll share great book recommendations based on what's popular in Norfolk libraries, and what they hear directly from children during their school visits. 

Supporting the Home Learning Environment - Charlotte Bennett, The National Literacy Trust 

Find out more about the Better Health Start for Life 'Little Moments Together' campaign. You will see details of the initiative in the accompanying slides along with a range of free digital resources for families and professionals to support families to chat, play, and read with their 0-5-year-olds.  Many of the approaches would be easily adaptable to encourage talk, play and wonderful shared reading moments with all primary aged children. 

Useful links to access some of the wonderful free resources from The National Literacy Trust: 

Building babies' brains, books and story sharing - Katy McNamara BookTrust. 

In this session, BookTrust examine why reading for pleasure with babies is important and what difference it can make to children and families' lives. BookTrust has delivered the BookStart baby programme to every baby born in England for over 25 years. Their work is research based and impact focused, and in this session, they share what they know about the positive impact sharing stories and books with babies has on children and families' lives.  BookTrust demonstrate why shared reading moments matter, offer insight on how you can best support parents and carers to feel confident to engage in story sharing from the earliest age possible. They also give examples of excellent local BookTrust programme delivery that is making a difference within Norfolk communities. 

Connecting across cultures - the positive power of oral storytelling -  Robert Coyle, Learning and Inclusion NCC 

In this session, Robert Coyle examines how oral storytelling can develop an understanding of story, character and sequence and can be used to encourage children to discover new stories through reading. Focusing on the story alone, rather than the mechanical skills of reading, allows the children to enjoy, play with and participate in the story and learn key transferable reading and writing skills. Robert looks at stories as a tool for learning about other cultures and traditions and how traditional stories have travelled through place and time! 

Read for Empathy - Sarah Mears, Empathy Lab 

In this session Sarah shares how empathy is a learnable skill and the powerful role that reading, and reading fiction in particular, plays in building empathy, supporting children and young people's reading for pleasure, wellbeing, and active citizenship.  The session also explores four key empathy skills that can be built through reading and there is a chance to learn practical ways to be an empathy builder and harness the power of reading for a more connected school or local community. 

Here are some links that Sarah shared in her session: 

Positive Relationships with Story Books - Julia Jacka and Gemma Lane, NCC Early Years Team 

Discover how story books can nurture emotional bonds and early communication in babies. "Babies - Positive Relationships with Story Books" explores how simple, shared book experiences support social development, build trust, and create joyful routines. With practical ideas and real-life examples, this session will inspire you to make books a meaningful part of babies' everyday worlds. 

How can you inspire a love of reading and make it a habit?  Alexander Sykes and Annette Norton, NCC Adult Learning team 

In this session Adult Learning share the secrets of Story Sacks and let you know about other ways the service can support parents to read regularly with their family.  

Bringing the Magic of Reading into Every Corner of the Classroom - Stephanie Brighton, Lingwood Primary Academy 

In this session, Stephanie talks about how to make reading a part of every aspect of learning right from the start of school. She shares practical ideas drawn from her experiences as a reception teacher. 

Bringing the Beach into a Portage Home Visit - Mel Warren, Portage Team, NCC 

Discover the power of sensory stories to bring the world of books to life for children and young learners. Join Mel on a trip to the seaside with the wonderful interactive book Off to the Beach! 

The Magic of Reading and SEND, Carrie Miller and Sarah Gentle -  Education Psychology and Specialist Support, NCC 

In this session, Carrie and Sarah share practical experiences and real-life examples of how to engage non-readers in a love of book and stories. They  possible barriers and share practical ideas on how to light the spark of reading for pleasure in all children and young people. 

 

What does it mean for Norwich to be a UNESCO city of literature?  And how to get involved - Alice Kent , The National Centre for Writing 

Have you noticed the UNESCO City of Literature signs on the way into Norwich and wondered what it all means?!   This video shares more about what it means to be a Norwich as a UNESCO City of Literature, and how you can get involved. Hear more about the National Centre for Writing based here in Norwich and the opportunities and resources available to support reading for fun in and out of the classroom. 

Building a whole school reading culture - Jon Biddle and Jenna James, Moorlands Primary School 

In this session, Jon and Jenna  talk about the importance of building a school reading culture. As well as briefly exploring the evidence around the impact of Reading for Pleasure, they share practical and sustainable ideas that can be implemented across the whole school.  

What a difference a dad makes: reading for pleasure and positive outcomes - Mark Osborn, Partnership, Inclusion and Practice, NCC 

This session considers what recent research evidence tells us about fathers reading with their children and the impact this has on their outcomes. You'll hear from local dads about their experiences and consider how all services working with families can make small changes to encourage and promote fathers reading with their children every day. 

Useful links mentioned by Mark in the session: 

Supporting a love of reading in community groups - Tracey Andrews, Early Years, NCC 

This session explores the vital role that Parent and Toddler groups play in the lives of young children and their families. It focuses on the importance of nurturing a love of stories from an early age and highlight a range of resources available to help group leaders promote shared reading experiences. The sessionalso provide an overview of Norfolk's targeted approach to distributing Bookstart packs to children aged 1-4, ensuring every child has the opportunity to enjoy books at home. 

Useful links: 

Reading challenges: The challenge of getting more children to read more books! - Laura Mouland, Community Librarian, NCC 

With closing conference remarks from Councillor Margaret Dewsbury 

Some reading challenges are successful, some not. This session explores what makes a difference and how to keep children engaged. The ultimate aim? A long-term reading for pleasure habit that has significant wider benefits for children. 

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