How do you make children enjoy reading again?

Hundreds of primary school pupils have been encouraged to "love reading" by authors and illustrators.

A two-day literacy event was held at the University of Suffolk on 13 and 14 July, in partnership with the Kingfisher Schools Trust and the East Anglian Daily Times (EADT) and Ipswich Star newspapers.

University chancellor and children's author Zeb Soanes performed a reading of one of his Gaspard the Fox books, with live illustrations and music.

Ten-year-old Abel, from Saxmundham Primary School, said: "When you read, it can let your imagination just run wild... you can read with siblings, family, other people that you know, and then just enjoy it."

Across the two days, 400 pupils from schools in the Leiston and coastal Suffolk areas attended the university's waterfront building in Ipswich.

Former BBC Radio 4 news reader Soanes has written five Gaspard books, following an encounter with an urban fox who visited his home.

He was appointed chancellor last year.

"This is a civic university, it's deeply embedded in the community," he said.

"For the children to come in and see it's not some ivory tower; it's a fun place, it's where you can tell stories, you can be creative.

"I think is a fantastic thing for them to experience."

This year is the National Year of Reading, with a report by the National Literacy Trust finding levels of reading enjoyment have been falling.

Last year, one in three (32.7%) children and young people aged eight to 18 said they enjoyed reading in their free time, the lowest in 20 years.

Jennie Bones, a teacher at Saxmundham Primary School, said: "I think [this event] is inspiring because I've got children of all abilities having a great time loving books and reading."

"I'm watching them and every single child has been drawing and is engaged in what we're doing."

The event was part of a year-long campaign, Born & Read, run by Newsquest titles in Suffolk.

It is in partnership with the National Centre for Writing and Suffolk Community Libraries, sponsored by Sizewell C and supported by Ipswich Town Football Club.

The campaign recently included a competition for "a story with 100 endings".

EADT and Ipswich Star editor Anna Starnes said: "We know reading for pleasure is one of the biggest indicators of success for children.

"It gives them confidence, helps them be more creative, and we wanted to also show that it was something for everyone."

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