Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell has warned of “vast inequality” in the provision of primary school libraries, and said the gap in educational achievement and opportunity “remains stark, worrying and urgent” as she called for Boris Johnson to ring-fence a yearly investment of £100 million.
The author, known for books including the How To Train Your Dragon series, has written an open letter signed by former Laureates including Michael Rosen and Sir Quentin Blake, saying: “It is heart-breaking to see just how unevenly this fundamental opportunity is distributed.”
The letter said the lack of access to libraries means millions of children – particularly those from the poorest communities worst-hit by the pandemic and whose parents cannot afford books at home – are missing out on the opportunity to become a reader for pleasure.