For a long time, life outside the two-dimensional world has been outpaced by the colours of apps and the constant flow of new. When life seems to be lived more in the rectangular world than in the real one, something has to take the hit; which has long been and is reading. Many names are at the forefront of reading in general and reading children's books in particular. The names that come together include ALMA-Prize, but also the digital platform Children's Library and the Swedish Institute for Children's Books.
Lisa Ahlquist is an editor at the Children's Library and she believes that children are enriched by stories through reading:
- "It's a highly charged topic, and I think that we as adults have a responsibility to talk to children about the problems that exist," says Lisa Ahlquist. Maybe it's time to challenge the whole family to read at least 10 minutes a day?
Children's libraries work to promote reading, writing and literary exchange among children and young people. Their hub is in Västra Götaland, where they are run by the Cultural Administration, but thanks to - ironically - their website, children and young people all over Sweden can take part in their activities. The website, which is free, features author presentations, book tips, articles and crafts for children aged 8-12.
- For us, it is important that children, regardless of their reading ability or interest, find their own way into reading - maybe it's through a competition, a craft or that you want to search for more information about your great leisure interest?
Others working to put children's reading back on the agenda include the Swedish Institute for Children's Books. Among other things, they support research projects relating to children's and young people's literature, with the aim of increasing the skills and status of all areas of children's culture.
Every year, the Institute organises an event called "Book Tasting", where staff members explore trends and patterns from a year of children's book publishing. During this year's book tasting, a drastic increase in books related to COVID-19 was observed. At the same time, a downward trend in translated children's books was observed.
- This is probably the lowest percentage ever in the history of Swedish children's and young people's book publishing," says Åsa Warnqvist, head of research at the institute.
Lillemor Torstensson, communications officer at Sbi, emphasises the importance of libraries and schools spreading the joy of reading.
- "Children's books have played and continue to play a major role in the upbringing of children, in conveying values, but also in fuelling a love of reading and the joy of reading," says Lillemor Torstensson. Although she emphasises the responsibility of libraries, she is also convinced - like Lisa Ahlquist - that parents have a responsibility to encourage their children to read books:
- Read aloud to the children, give them book tips, tell them about books, read yourself so that the children see that you are also a reader. That is the most important thing!
Lisa Ahlquist argues that reading enriches children with stories, which Lillemor elaborates on by pointing out more areas that are enhanced by children's reading:
- Reading increases vocabulary, understanding and empathy, as well as the ability to empathise with other worlds and raise one's gaze.
