When a child says they do not like reading, the problem may not be reading itself.
According to a local publisher, the issue is often that they have not yet found the right book.
Ian McMullen, director of King’s Lynn-based BookLife Publishing, said: "The key to getting anyone to read more is finding the right book for that child.
"We believe books are life, and we want children around the world to love them as much as we do.
"Our aim is to share that love of books with children everywhere, giving both emerging readers and prolific page-turners beautiful books guaranteed to spark interest and learning, regardless of ability."
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BookLife Publishing was founded in 2014 after its sister business BookLife Education struggled to source the books schools were looking for.
What began as a book supplier to schools has grown into an independent publisher with more than 4,000 titles, including non-fiction, graphic novels and dyslexia-friendly books, all linked to the curriculum and tailored to young readers.
At its heart is a commitment to making reading fun – for every child.
Ian believes that while literacy discussions often centre on targets and academic progress, the most important piece of the puzzle is enjoyment.
"There's much made of 'reading for pleasure', which to me is self-evident: reading should be enjoyable, even in a child's earliest interactions with a book."
Research consistently shows that children who read for pleasure do better in school and in life.
But reading habits at home are shifting.
A report by HarperCollins revealed that just 41pc of parents of children aged four and under said they frequently read aloud to them in 2024, down from 64pc in 2012.
Ian believes these early routines matter.
"A recent study found children who are read to daily are almost three times as likely to choose to read independently compared with those read to only weekly. The impact goes further than literacy alone."
He said engagement often relies on having the right material to hand.
BookLife has invested heavily in creating books for different interests, reading abilities and learning needs.
This includes a 300-book reading scheme and an Accessible Readers range for children with dyslexia.
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The company has also embraced graphic novels. Though some critics view them as less valuable, Ian sees them as a positive and powerful gateway to literacy.
He said: "Anything that promotes reading – and specifically an enjoyment of reading – can only be a good thing.
"That means reading in any form. Audiobooks, for instance, are also on the rise and very much count as reading too."
Graphic novels, Ian believes, can be especially helpful for children who feel less confident.
"The imagery helps carry the narrative, which eases the challenge of reading while building confidence as children progress through the book with less resistance."
Ian’s advice to parents of reluctant readers is to put enjoyment first and start with the child’s interests, not adult expectations.
"Find the right book," he said. "Ask your child what they're interested in and see if there's a book that matches it."
And what single change could have the biggest positive impact on children's reading habits?
"Better access to books in general and a wider, more diverse selection of engaging material that children actually want to read."
For more information, visit booklifepublishing.co.uk
This article has been published as part of Born & Read in Norfolk – a year-long initiative highlighting the importance of reading and writing, delivered in partnership with the National Centre for Writing, headline sponsor RWE and sponsor YouGarden.
Follow the campaign throughout the year in our coverage and on social media using #BornAndRead2026 or get in touch at readingmatters@newsquest.co.uk
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