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Reading

Summer Reading
Wahoo! The summer holidays are almost here! Not that the weather feels very summery, at least not here in the west of Ireland, but maybe we can hope for warmer days in the next few weeks. Whatever the weather and wherever you are, summer is always a great time for reading (actually, here at News Mag Media we think that any time is a great time for reading). And with no school, there’s more freedom to read what you want to read. …
Reading

Is “Engaged Reading Time” in Schools Key in the Encouragement of Reading for Pleasure?
Is “engaged reading time” in schools key in the encouragement of reading for pleasure? As regular readers of this blog will know, here at News Mag Media, we’re passionate about reading for pleasure as we are well aware of the amazing benefits that reading brings to both children and adults of all ages.  However, reading isn’t seen as a priority by everyone and a recent article in the UK newspaper, The Guardian, has reported that, for the first time since …
Books

Let’s Start Discovering Irish Children’s Books
Irish Children’s books. How many have you read? How many Irish children’s authors can you name? Despite the fantastic array of Irish children’s authors and titles, UK and US children’s authors still tend to dominate the Irish children’s book charts. And as brilliant as the books by non-Irish authors are, isn’t it high time that we see Irish authors, and the fabulous books they are writing, dominating our own book charts? The range and depth of Irish children’s books out …
Reading

Welcome to the News Mag Media Reading Club!
Welcome to the News Mag Media Reading Club! This September we will be launching the News Mag Media Reading Club as part of the 14th season (can you believe it?!!) of The Primary Planet. There will also be the News Mag Media Reading Club Junior in News Flash, our magazine for 7 – 9 year olds. The reading club will feature book reviews, a book of the month, reading challenges as well as the return of The Writing Corner.  The aim …
Books

The Book Club: Sociable Reading
Are you a member of a book club? If not, have you ever thought about joining one?  Book clubs are for both children and adults. As with everything, book clubs have both their positives and their negatives. They can be great spaces that are encouraging, inspiring and make reading fun. The allow readers to connect with other readers, as well as open members up to reading material that they may have never considered before. However, the traditional book club isn’t …
Education

Books Verses the E-Reader
How do you like to read? Do you still prefer a traditional book, an audio book, or are you more at home with reading on a digital device?  Probably the most successful e-reader to date, the Kindle, was first launched in 2007 and immediately became popular. Because of its compact size, it was ideal for those who loved reading but didn’t want to be lugging round heavy books. It especially worked well for those on the commute or those who …
Reading

The Reading Habit
One of the best ways to encourage a child to read for pleasure is for them to see the adults in their life reading. If a child witnesses the adults in their life reading, they are more likely to formulate a reading habit themselves. But with busy lives, jobs, homes, and family to look after, as well as the everyday occurrences that are part and parcel of daily life, reading for pleasure is not always top of the list for …
Education

Dragons’ Den Interview with Stephen Keane
Did you see it? The Fact Factory’s first TV appearance on none other than last night’s episode of BBC1’s Dragons’ Den! To get onto Dragons’ Den is an achievement in itself and, although Stephen didn’t get the investment, lots of exciting things are happening here at News Mag Media/Audio Mag Media. The Fact Factory really is going from strength to strength! But back to Stephen’s TV appearance. It’s not every day you get to take part in a major TV …
Education

In Celebration of Magazines
As you can see from our website, here at News Mag Media, our business is magazines. From our flagship magazine – The Primary Planet – to the latest member of our magazine family – The Fact Factory – we really do believe that magazines are a key ingredient in a child’s reading experience and in fact in everyone’s reading experience.  The great thing about magazines is that often the reading content is so accessible and manageable. Magazines also tend to be very up-to-date, with …
Education

Tips to Make Reading Inclusive and Accessible to All Children
Whether you are a teacher in a school, a librarian, a parent, or somebody who works with children, you will be aware of the amazing power reading has and the benefits it can bring to all children.  However, for some children reading can be that little bit more difficult for a variety of reasons, ranging from not having easy access to reading material to challenges due to print disabilities or struggling to find reading material that engages and excites them. …
Education

World Book Day Research Finds That Children Are Being ‘Put Off’ Reading for Pleasure
Earlier this month it was World Book Day, a day that celebrates, promotes, and encourages reading for pleasure. However, research carried out by World Book Day (WBD) has discovered that, despite events such as WBD and the wide variety of reading choices that are available, rather than feeling encouraged, instead children are actually being put off reading for pleasure. There are various reasons for this. More than a third of children said that they were not able to choose their …
Education

World Book Day 2024
World Book Day means different things to different people. For some it’s the excitement of dressing up as their favourite character. For others (usually parents and caregivers) it’s the stress of finding that perfect World Book Day costume. Then there are the children who enthusiastically bound into their local bookshop with their free book voucher, delighted to be able to choose a book that’s brand new and theirs. For some, it’s just another day to enjoy the simple pleasure of reading.  …