Be Seen Reading®

Be Seen Reading® is an exciting initiative launched by Children Reading for Life® which asks adults in local communities to come together and become reading role models for children. See how communities, villages and towns can send positive messages to children when as many people as possible are encouraged to Be Seen Reading®.

One of the most important messages that Children Reading for Life® promotes is that adults should be role models for children when it comes to choosing to read. If children see others (especially loved ones) reading, they are more likely to pick up a book (or comic or magazine etc.) and try it themselves.

Be Seen Reading® is a fun and engaging way to achieve this. Whole communities can come together with as many people as possible seen enjoying a book, magazine or comic. This can be incorporated into whatever people may be doing i.e. serving in a café, having a meal with friends, returning to the football pitch after half-time, changing ends during a game of tennis, waiting for a bus, sitting on a bench in town etc.

As long as people are seen reading, they are sending a powerful message to young people: that reading is for all of us, it can be shared, enjoyable and interesting.

These activities can be celebrated widely on social media, in sports clubs, on local radio, even on local BBC TV news programmes, but to organise such an event takes careful planning, preparation and overseeing. If you would like to hold a ‘Be Seen Reading®’ event in your locality, please contact Polly at CRfL for full details (applying for grants, approaching media outlets, giving out book tokens etc.).

Be Seen Reading® is not only a fun community-based event…but a vital part of helping young people to become keen readers…for life.