When was the last time you got truly lost in a book? Perhaps you enjoyed a few chapters over the Easter weekend, or maybe it’s been a while since you picked up a book or e-reader.
Last month’s World Book Day offered young people around the UK the opportunity to immerse themselves into reading, literature, and writing – discovering the unique sense of fun and freedom that you can only get by reading a good book. We will all have seen images of young people dressing up as their favourite character, proudly displaying ingenious, impressively creative costumes, and celebrating all that the written word has to offer.
Yet, findings from the most recent Annual Literacy Survey, carried out in 2024 by the National Literacy Trust, revealed that the percentage of children and young people who enjoyed reading was actually at its lowest figure since 2005.
This issue has prompted Windsor children’s author – and adult volunteer at 6th Windsor Cubs – Philip Kavvadias – to offer Cub Packs around Berkshire a special workshop to help reignite that passion for reading at a young age.
“The issue of the decline of the enjoyment of reading amongst kids is very close to my heart, particularly the decline amongst boys,” Philip revealed to Berkshire Scouts. “The gender gap in reading enjoyment nearly tripled from a 4.8-percentage-point difference in 2023 to a 12.3-percentage-point difference in 2024, largely because of a greater drop of reading enjoyment in boys. When it comes to reading frequency, the gender gap remained largely consistent with previous years, but just 17.5% of boys reading daily is by far the lowest we have recorded.”
Philip’s first book, Mission Microraptor, was published in April 2024, the second one, Mission Manta Ray, last January and the third of his trilogy, Mission Monster Mind, is coming out on 3rd July.
When work allows, Philip visits local schools and – according to teachers – creates a buzz around books that lasts for weeks. As part of his effort to encourage more young people to read, Philip is now offering to visit Cub groups to run a special workshop, in which he talks to Cubs about the two books that are already out. He then invites them to help him design future books. It is a session with a lot of engagement and participation, and it inspires children to explore books again.
“My main goal for writing books is to try and do something about those awful statistics,” he said. “As part of that, I am happy to visit groups around the county, to talk to Cubs about books and try to bring them back to reading.”
Philip’s work also nicely links to Cubs working towards their Book Reader activity badge. There are five criteria that make up the badge:
- Make a list of at least six books you have read or used recently.
- Name the authors of your books.
- Show that you know how to care for your books and know the benefits a library can bring to people who enjoy reading.
- Show that you can use a dictionary and a thesaurus.
- Write a review of your favourite book and share it with your Sixer, an Explorer Scout Young Leader or your Cub Leader.
“My main goal for writing books is to try and do something about those awful statistics. As part of that, I am happy to visit groups around the county, to talk to Cubs about books and try to bring them back to reading.” – Philip Kavvadias
Philip’s Mission might be just the thing for any reluctant readers to explore new worlds and adventures, while working towards a new activity badge. As a special offer for Berkshire Scouts, Philip will also sign books on the day of the workshop. The Cubs can bring copies with them or – even better – buy them on the day at a 25% discount, for £6.00.
To invite Philip to your group please email him at [email protected] or call him at 07971113037.
Happy reading!