Once upon a time, children would travel to enchanted forests, historic castles, the deepest depths of the ocean and the furthest stars.
They would meet courageous knights, prince and princesses, swashbuckling pirates and residents of Mars. They would help save us from dragons, vampires, sea creatures and other weird and bizarre monsters.
These books – for that is where they had such adventures – would very often inspire them to write their own stories.
But, as time as gone on, children’s bookshelves are, it seems, falling empty.
The National Literacy Trust has found that young people reading for pleasure is at an all-time low, with only 32.7 per cent of five- to 18-year-olds now reading in their spare time.
While book ownership for children aged five to eight was at its highest ever level in 2025 (92.2 per cent), this fell for those aged eight to 18 to just 89.4 per cent – the lower level for more than a decade.
Now, with 2026 being designated a national year of reading, book-lovers in Lincolnshire are hoping to inspire more young people to once again discover the joys of a thrilling story.
“It’s about getting that sparkle again,” said Nick Webb, co-owner of The Rabbit Hole children’s book shop in Brigg, “That should be encouraged by everyone, every adult, not just the poor, unfortunate, English teacher who has to try and engage kids to read.”
The 60-year-old added: “There’s a lot of people that we see who say, ‘oh children don’t read anymore’. Yes, they do, if they are given the chance, they actually love it.”
The Rabbit Hole provides a relaxing and fun space which welcomes younger people to pick a book that meets their interests. The shop works with schools to hold events where children get to meet authors and illustrators.
“This is another thing that inspires children to read,” sais Nick. “Because if you can meet the author, it takes down a lot of barriers because and children realise that they’re not all posh, and they don’t all live in London.”
The NLT found that children who own a book at home are four times more likely to enjoy reading compared to those who don’t.
It also has significant benefits for young people’s academic development and well-being.
Tina Holden, library team leader at Lincoln Central Library, said: “Reading is just a way to get away from life. I find personally, it’s an escapism. And with non-fiction – especially for young people – it’s important for study and results.”
The 54-year-old added: “Our physical issues of children’s books are declining, but we also have eBooks and they’re increasing.”
To encourage reading, the library holds summer challenge with youngsters who read six books rewarded with a medal.
Sarah Tipler, 48, senior development officer for the community and family engagement team, said: “I think sometimes one of the barriers is cost as you’re not going to buy that book if you need bread and milk for your family, and that’s why we’re lucky enough that we’ve got our imagination library.”
The Imagination Library, run by North Lincolnshire Council, provides free books for under-fives, and last year around 90,000 books were handed out.
Katie Carter, 54, community engagement and family learning development officer, said: “The idea is to provide children with their own library books at home, so we know that children in North Lincolnshire have access to books as long as they sign up.”
However, Sarah added: “I wish it carried on till they were 11 [instead of stopping at five]. The difference that would make in terms of their life chances, they’re social-economic status – it would really raise everything.”
One day, she says, that may come; and more children will learnd there is always another adventure to be had, another villain to defeat, another land to explore. There is always another book to love.
