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In the reflections that follow, two children’s authors share insights into the transformative power of storytelling in the lives of young people, and the role that school libraries play in facilitating reading for pleasure (Merga & Roni, 2025). They agree that school libraries act as gateways to reading and self-discovery, impacting not only academic outcomes but also emotional development and creativity (Jones & Flint, 2013).

Paddy Donnelly – Children’s Author

As a writer and illustrator for young children, I understand the huge impact that school libraries have on children and their future paths. In each story I write, I can trace a path back through 30 something years ago to the books I read as a child. Little elements have stuck with me and inform what I create now.

‘Children who read are more likely … to be happier, healthier and experience better mental wellbeing and self-esteem.’

Children who read are more likely to overcome disadvantages caused by inequalities: more likely to be happier, healthier and experience better mental wellbeing and self-esteem. This finding is supported by research published in 2023 by .

The best part of my job is visiting schools and libraries to run storytime and drawing workshops. It is especially rewarding stepping into schools where teachers and librarians have fostered a real love of reading. Children are such an inspiration with their seemingly effortless creativity and storytelling abilities. Librarians and teachers play a huge part in this.

Like many adults, I don’t recall much from books I read now after a few months; however, when it comes to the books I read as a child, I can tell you every detail about every character and how moments made me feel, where I was when I was reading them, and little details from illustrations. Those books from childhood stay with you in such a different way, and school libraries help unlock a world of reading for children.

Books foster imagination and creativity, and can open children up to challenging ideas as well. They offer opportunities for children to see themselves represented in stories, while being exposed to a wealth of books from those early years allows children to develop a lifelong love for reading.

Allowing children to enter this fun and magical world of stories, in a safe environment, for free, is immensely beneficial to their futures. Libraries are truly special places which should be protected and cherished.

Paddy Donnelly with pupils from St. Marys P.S. Rathlin Island

Jasbinder Bilan – Children’s Author

When I was a little girl, my grandmother told me stories. It was a natural progression to join the library and enter the world of books. Reading, I tell the children on my school visits, is magic. It can take you anywhere you want to go; it develops empathy and imagination and makes you that bit braver.

‘Reading … can take you anywhere you want to go; it develops empathy and imagination and makes you that bit braver.’

There is little doubt that reading and literacy are high on the government agenda – 2026 is the . But how can you genuinely help children become independent, happy readers?

Despite the low numbers of children saying they enjoy reading (National Literacy Trust, 2025), in my experience they all love a story. There are so many positive outcomes for children who read so it really is necessary to boost reading for pleasure.

Having a library in every primary school is actually going to become a reality. has been campaigning for this for a number of years, and the chancellor has now pledged the extra funds needed to ensure that by 2029. Hurrah!

Not only do readers need a library but also a caring person who will guide them towards genres they will love. As a young girl it was the help of the librarian that gave me the confidence to expand my tastes and become the reader I am today.

One of my greatest pleasures when touring is to pop into school libraries. It’s such a marker of the reading ethos of the school. My favourite ones are those where children clearly have ownership. To see the children proudly showing off the beating heart of their school is pure joy.

I’m genuinely hopeful and excited about the future of reading. Children need to be given time and space to explore stories that they want to, regardless of gatekeepers’ views. Young people, when empowered, choose well.

As an English teacher in my former life, I know how effective it is to keep literature at the beating heart of a school.

Here are my tips for a great library:

• have a cosy corner
• discuss with the children what to stock
• include dyslexia-friendly reads
• have some audio books
• have a wide range of voices.

Suggestions for innovative ways of connecting with children and young people in the school library setting are evidenced throughout this Special Issue of the ½¿É«µ¼º½ Blog, for example, see the blog post by Lucas Maxwell.

References

Jones, J. B., & Flint, L. J. (Eds.) (2013). The creative imperative: School librarians and teachers cultivating curiosity together. Libraries Unlimited.

Merga, M. K., & Mat Roni, S. (2025). ‘An uphill battle’: School library professionals fostering student reading engagement. English in Education, 59(1), 17–36.

National Literacy Trust. (2025). Children and young people’s reading in 2025.