All Southwark libraries have launched their annual initiative to get their children reading more, starting December 11 and running all the way through to February of the new year.  

Parents can now register their children to take part in the Winter Wonder Library scheme, incentivising children to read by giving them prizes, activities, and challenges in their local library. 

For children ages zero to five, parents can enter their child into a prize draw, where they have the chance of winning an “inspiring” Treasure Pack of Books, which “the children love,” according to Dulwich library manager, Lucy. 

For older children, from ages six to eleven, there is more of a challenge to win prizes. They have to read as many books as they can, filling in a book review tracking sheet and tracing their “winter reading journey.”  

Lucy is responsible for running Dulwich library, as well as three other libraries in Southwark, and says that the fulfilment of children is one of her top priorities. She also seeks to increase engagement with the library for everyone in the community, as she believes it is an important local resource for everybody living in Dulwich. 

Dulwich library was already running several schemes for children, including free playing sessions for toddlers and babies, Rhymetime sessions with singing and rhyming, and Bookstart sessions, where children can read and be read to. Lucy says that these programmes have “a great turn out of local families” and she is excited for the annual winter reading scheme to be a welcome addition to the library’s facilities. 

According to the National Literacy Trust, who in September this year published their newest findings, only two in five children enjoy reading in their free time in 2023. This is the lowest level since they started asking this question to children in 2005. 

For many, this is highly concerning and needs addressing. In the same report by the National Literacy Trust, it explains the importance of reading to your children, as the benefits are endless. It also reports how reading to children can give them security, relaxation, vocabulary, and even build their self-esteem. 

Running parallel to the scheme within Dulwich library, a local independent bookstore has joined the fight to encourage reading for their local children. Every Saturday, Dulwich Books hosts a Story time where parents and children can enjoy being read picture books. 

This bookstore is owned by Cathy Slater, who, following her 30-year career in publishing, bought the store in 2019. She is “excited to serve the local community,” as a lover of reading herself, and wishes to pass this love down the generations. 

She urges any local families with children to attend, as not only does it encourage more children to read, but fosters a positive engagement and helps to build an interconnected and supportive community. 

Both the library scheme and the local bookstore initiative are working towards the same goal: to encourage Dulwich’s children to read more, and by capitalising on the extra time children have on their Christmas break, they hope to be successful.