Why this group is trying to recruit a village

They say it takes a village to raise a child, but how many does it take to raise a reader? A parent? A teacher? A librarian?

Literacy isn’t just about being able to read, it’s about developing a love of stories and books, a respect for differences and a willingness to explore new ideas.

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This is why the team from Your Kids Next Read (YKNR) is working to raise a village, and asking individuals, organisations and publications to get involved.

“Becoming a reader is more than just learning how to read,” says author Allison Tait, one third of YKNR, together with author Allison Rushby and author/teacher-librarian Megan Daly. “It’s about finding the books that speak to you and discovering the joy of literature.”

Between them, Tait, Daley, and Rushby possess a wealth of knowledge and experience. On their podcast, they offer research-backed recommendations and practical advice from both personal and professional perspectives. As parents, they’ve also navigated the challenge of finding books to engage their own children, each with unique interests and reading habits.

“When we talk about the village required to raise a reader, it comes from personal experience. No one person has all the answers in a child’s journey to becoming a reader,” says Tait. “But when you have a group of people with different experiences – life, professional and reading – who are willing and able to offer advice and recommendations, then you have a much better chance of finding the book that will keep a child reading.”

YKNR focuses on helping young readers find the perfect ‘next book’, promoting Australian books and authors, supporting parents and caregivers in fostering literacy, and advocating for educators and children’s literature.

Image credits: Little Family Photo Co & Quince and Mulberry Studios

Role models matter

Children imitate what they see, which is why it is important for parents, schools and communities to model a love of reading. But in an age of digital distractions, books often take a back seat.

Over the past two decades, Australia has seen a decline in bookshops, with major chains like Dymocks reducing their physical presence and Angus & Robertsons transitioning to an online-only operation. Public libraries have fared marginally better, with moderate increases in membership to expenditure and programming.

Schools remain key in fostering reading habits and providing positive role models, but as Megan Daly points out: “With the demise of teacher librarians in schools across the country, many children do not have access to that person and place in the school to be able to nurture a love of reading by guiding them and having available the books that are just right for them. It’s one of the reasons we began Your Kid’s Next Read, to surround a child with a village of readers.”

Spoilt for Choice

With millions of new titles being published every year, parents can feel overwhelmed trying to determine which books are best for their children. Book discovering has also shifted significantly, with social media platforms such as Booktok and Instagram shaping trends in an unregulated way.

“Parents are often at a loss as to where to go for help. Many understand the importance of reading for their children, but are not necessarily readers themselves, and so don’t know where to turn. With school libraries and specialist bookshops under pressure, they need other trusted sources of information to help their young readers find those books that might not be as ‘popular’ but are just what that young reader needs.” Allison Tait

This has never been more important, now that publishing trends have shifted away from the traditional ‘bodice ripper’ cover art toward cartoonish, playful illustrations. While this makes them more visually appealing, it also increases the risk of young readers picking up adult-themed books that might not be age-appropriate.

“It was clear right from the start [of YKNR] that all sorts of people – from parents and guardians and grandparents to educators and librarians – were keen to get together to discuss how we can support young readers on their reading journeys,” says Allison Rushby. “We’re often told it’s ‘one of the nicest places on the internet’ and we take great pride in helping people to discover the perfect next read for the young reader in their life and in being part of fostering a lifelong love of reading in so many young readers.”

Building a village

At the heart of YKNR’s mission is a simple but powerful belief: when children are surrounded by people who love reading, they are more likely to develop a love of books themselves.

This is a belief shared by most teachers, booksellers, librarians, authors and parents, who all have a role to play in ensuring that the next generation grows up with access to stories that will engage and inspire.