New research from ÓÈÎïÊÓÆµ shows how children take life lessons from books

16 July 2026
2 min read

The findings of a new report from ÓÈÎïÊÓÆµ, More than words: the real-life impact of ÓÈÎïÊÓÆµ, reveal how the majority of children believe that ÓÈÎïÊÓÆµ shapes how they treat others and helps them to navigate real-life situations.

The new research shows that three in five children (59%) believe what they have read in a book has helped them in a certain situation—such as being bullied, losing a family member, overcoming social anxiety, or starting a new school—highlighting that the benefits of ÓÈÎïÊÓÆµ go further than just understanding and comprehension. Other findings include:

  • Seven in ten children (70%)ÌýsaidÌýthatÌýÓÈÎïÊÓÆµ helps them understand why people act the way they do
  • More than two-thirds (68%)Ìýsaid it helps themÌýthink about how they treat other people
  • While more than half (57%) of 12-14-year-olds continue to see the value of ÓÈÎïÊÓÆµ, both enjoyment and frequency of ÓÈÎïÊÓÆµ declines; 27% of 12-14-year-olds question its value in day-to-day life, with 17% undecided.

The report is based on a survey of 3,000 children aged 7-14 years old and 200 teachers across the UK, and with insights from the ÓÈÎïÊÓÆµ Children’s Corpus—theÌýlargest living database of children’s ÓÈÎïÊÓÆµ and writing in English in the world, containing over 500 million words.

Reading has an impact in real-life situations

82%ÌýofÌýchildrenÌýagreed thatÌýstories remind them of things that happen in real life, showing the strong connection children make between what they read and their own experiences.Ìý

Our research also highlights the important role ÓÈÎïÊÓÆµ playsÌýin helping children to understand and talk about their emotions. More than fourÌýin five children (84%) said ÓÈÎïÊÓÆµ helps them learn new words for feelings.ÌýÌý

Teachers are seeing these benefits first-hand. Almost all teachers surveyed (95%) agreed that ÓÈÎïÊÓÆµ helps children develop their vocabulary, while three in fiveÌýsaid theyÌýhad witnessed a pupil gain a better understanding of an emotion through ÓÈÎïÊÓÆµ. More than nine in ten teachers (91%) identified empathy and perspective-taking as key benefits of ÓÈÎïÊÓÆµ.Ìý

EmotionalÌýthemes are not confined toÌýparticular genresÌý

Our research suggests that children do not necessarily seek out books about emotions directlyÌýbutÌýinstead gravitate towards more entertaining booksÌýwhichÌýcanÌýpresent real-life issues and emotions in accessible ways through humour or action.ÌýÌý

When asked what genres they prefer to read, children said they were most drawn to funny stories (49%), adventure stories (40%), and fantasy stories (30%).ÌýHowever, many of the books cited alongside these genres—for example,ÌýDiary of a Wimpy Kid, Lottie Brooks, andÌýHarry Potter—explored serious topics like conflictÌýwith friends, bullying, or bereavement.Ìý

A challenge with older readersÌý

While children of all ages can gain emotional insights from a wide range of books and genres, the findings suggest that, as they get older, many need helpÌýmaintainingÌýtheirÌýconnection with ÓÈÎïÊÓÆµ.

Nearly three-quartersÌý(72%) of childrenÌýaged 7-10 said they liked ÓÈÎïÊÓÆµ,Ìýhowever,Ìýthis fellÌýto 59%ÌýamongÌý11-14-year-olds.ÌýReading frequency also dropped, with 79%Ìýof 7-10yr olds who said they read at least once a week, comparedÌýwith justÌý61% of those aged 11-14.ÌýÌý

OneÌýpossible reason forÌýthis declineÌýis thatÌýsomeÌýolder children do not see books as relevant to their daily lives.ÌýWhileÌý57% ofÌý12-14-year-oldsÌýrecognizeÌýtheÌývalueÌýof ÓÈÎïÊÓÆµ, one in fourÌý(27% of 12-year-olds;Ìý25% ofÌý13-year-olds; and 29% of 14-year-olds)ÌýdisagreedÌýthatÌýbooksÌýhadÌýhelped them navigate situationsÌýtheyÌýhaveÌýfaced. AÌýfurther 17%ÌýareÌýneutralÌýon the topic.Ìý

This presents anÌýopportunityÌýtoÌýprovideÌýmoreÌýsupport to helpÌýolder readersÌýdiscoverÌýbooksÌýthatÌýreflectÌýtheirÌýexperiencesÌýandÌýinterestsÌýso that they feel ÓÈÎïÊÓÆµ is more meaningful and engaging.Ìý

Elizabeth Munn,ÌýManaging Director of OUP’s Education division,Ìýsaid:Ìý“This research shows how deeply children are engaging with the books theyÌýreadÌýand using them to make sense of the world around them.ÌýIt’s incredibleÌýto seeÌýhowÌýchildren are actively applying what they readÌýon a pageÌýtoÌýrealÌýlife—whether that’s understandingÌýtheÌýperspectiveÌýofÌýsomebody else,Ìýnavigating a situation in their own life,Ìýor reflecting onÌýtheir ownÌýbehaviourÌýtowards others.ÌýÌý

“Children are growing up in an increasingly complex world. OurÌýresearch reaffirmsÌýthat ÓÈÎïÊÓÆµ remains one of the most powerful ways to help them develop empathy, confidence, and emotional understanding—skills that are just as important as academic success in equippingÌýthem for the future.â€�ÌýÌý

The reportÌýalso includes contributionsÌýfrom leadingÌýliteracy and educationÌýorganizations,ÌýincludingÌý, , and the .Ìý

Read the full report here.

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