New research shows comics are inspiring children to become life-long readers
Making reading a magical experience – almost one in ten children most enjoy reading comics out of all literature choices. With almost a quarter (23%) of parents and grandparents believing its top benefit is creating a habit and a love of reading. This is according to the latest research commissioned by Readly, the European leader in digital magazine and newspaper subscriptions.
Sparking curiosity and a lust for literature, the research reveals that over a third (34%) of parents and grandparents have introduced comics or fantasy magazines to their children or grandchildren. The 2,000 UK wide poll by YouGov for Readly marks the launch of Disney comics and magazines on the all you can read Readly app.
Feeding their imagination, almost half (42%) of adults have read fantasy or comics as a child with 11 percent of adults still reading this format today. Helping to develop a life-long passion for literature, almost three-quarters (72%) of childhood comic readers reflect that it played an important role in inspiring their interest in reading.
Almost a third of children (27%) are reading both digital and physical formats equally, building a strong reading culture, with 41% of children reading on digital formats every day or several times a week.
Readly has collaborated with Disney to bring over 80 Disney magazines to its subscribers. Featuring much-loved character comics such as Disney’s Frozen, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, High School Musical, Star WarsTM and MARVEL. Young readers can immerse themselves in the Disney experience through brilliant stories, fantasy adventures, craft ideas and activities based on their favourite Disney characters.
“Comics are a gateway into creating life-long readers. Kids who read graphic novels and short form content are more likely to foster a love of reading. It helps create a healthy reading habit, provides exposure and drives confidence for reading. With the illustration helping to deepen the narrative and reveal important social and cultural cues,” says Child Development Expert Dr Jacqueline Harding, Senior Lecturer at Middlesex University, Director of Tomorrowschild and former BBC Education Editor and Headteacher
Research by The National Literacy Trust shows having opportunities to read digitally could be particularly effective for children with low levels of reading engagement, such as reluctant readers. For these children, reading enjoyment increased not only in relation to reading on screen, but also reading in print, indicating that reading digitally had the potential to provide a route into general reading and literacy.
– We are delighted to welcome these much-loved titles to our platform and boost the joy of reading. Digital reading amongst children and indeed all the family is increasing and research shows that it is beneficial for children to read various forms of quality content such as comics and magazines so it’s the perfect time to offer these popular magazines to all the family alongside the broad portfolio of titles on our platform, says Ranj Begley, UK MD and Chief Content Officer at Readly.
The Disney magazines are available to all the family as part of Readly’s unlimited reading subscription where users can instantly access and read magazines and newspapers at home or on the go via their smartphone, tablet or laptop. The Disney magazine portfolio features in Readly’s children’s category.
Readly offers 6,300 magazines and newspapers on its app and as a subscription gives users five profiles per household, the whole family can enjoy access too. Perfect for both young and old – from reading the morning paper to reading about hobbies or specialist topics. You can bookmark the latest recipe, research the must-have tech and future holiday destination or delve into an epic adventure with your favourite Disney character.
Readly is £9.99 per month, visit www.readly.com for more information.
ENDS
For more details contact: kate.tegelaars@readly.com/07879 818 711 or paula.figgett@readly.com
Research: The survey was carried out during the period from 4-10th October 2022 via the internet, on the basis of the YouGov Panel, based on a sample of 2,290 UK adults.
References:
Children, Young People and digital report, National Literacy Trust, April 2019, see link: https://literacytrust.org.uk/research-services/research-reports/children-young-people-and-digital-reading/ and https://literacytrust.org.uk/news/digital-reading-axe-the-reading-tax/
About Readly
Readly is the European category leader for digital magazines. The company offers a digital subscription service that lets customers have unlimited access to 7,500 magazines and newspapers including the catalogue of ePresse. Readly has subscribers in more than 50 countries and content available in 17 different languages. In collaboration with 1200 publishers worldwide, Readly is digitising the magazine and newspaper industry. In 2021, revenues amounted to SEK 466 million. Since September 2020, the Readly share is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm Midcap. For more information, please visit https://corporate.readly.com/
