Are we truly nurturing a reading culture, or are we just celebrating literacy? 🤔 At the Bindwel Book Round Table, Neeraj Jain, Managing Director at Scholastic India, shared some eye-opening insights on the real state of encouraging children’s reading habits and how we can shape a future where kids pick up books by choice, not just by force.
From debunking common myths to highlighting what actually gets children excited to read, Neeraj’s session was a wake-up call for publishers, educators, and parents alike. Bindwel, as a leader in post-press solutions, ensures books are durable, well-bound, and engaging for young readers. Here’s what he had to say!
📝 1. Literacy vs. A Thriving Reading Culture
We often hear about India’s high literacy rate, but does that mean we have a strong reading culture? Neeraj says “NO”.
- Literacy measures basic skills, but it doesn’t guarantee a love for reading. Understanding and enjoying books require more than just the ability to recognize words.
- This isn’t just an Indian issue—reading struggles exist even in developed nations like the US and UK.
- To truly cultivate a reading culture, we must focus on lifelong reading habits, not just literacy rates.
“Let’s not be happy about 80% literacy rates—because that doesn’t tell us anything about whether people actually read.”
Bindwel supports initiatives that bridge this gap by ensuring high-quality, durable books that encourage a lasting love for reading.
📚 2. What’s Holding Kids Back from Reading?
Neeraj debunked the biggest misconception: technology is killing reading habits. But is it really?
- The real issue is the environment. Are we creating spaces where kids feel encouraged to read?
- Blaming technology is easy, but the absence of engaging books is a bigger problem.
- Schools & parents often tell children what to read instead of letting them explore books they naturally enjoy.
“The blame lies with the environment we provide, not with technology.”
Bindwel believes in making books visually and physically appealing, enhancing the reading experience for young minds.
💡 3. Scholastic’s Secret to Understanding Young Readers
What makes Scholastic the world’s largest children’s book publisher? They don’t just publish books—they research what kids actually want.
- Unlike traditional publishers, Scholastic works directly with children to understand their reading preferences.
- Extensive studies in India, the US, UK, Canada, and Australia revealed four universal themes kids love in books:
- Humor—funny books always win!
- Books that teach something new—kids love learning, but in an engaging way.
- Relatable characters—heroes they admire and want to be like.
- Stories with a challenge to solve—mysteries, puzzles, and problem-solving themes.
This is why books like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Geronimo Stilton, Tom Gates, and Dog Man sell so well in India. They fit these exact criteria. At Bindwel, we collaborate with publishers to enhance book durability and finishing, ensuring that engaging content is supported by high-quality bookbinding solutions.
🌟 4. The Lack of Indian-Centric Content
One of the biggest gaps in children’s publishing today? A lack of Indian cultural representation.
- While international books dominate, we need more Indian stories that reflect our culture, mythology, and traditions.
- The key is to make these stories fun and relatable—not just educational.
- Adding too many lessons can make books boring—kids need stories they love first, and learning should happen naturally.
“We need to bring Indian mythology and heritage into books, but in a way that kids actually enjoy.”
Bindwel supports local content creators by providing world-class bookbinding and finishing solutions, ensuring Indian stories are well-preserved and widely accessible.
🎓 5. The Shocking Reality of Leisure Reading in India
Neeraj highlighted an alarming statistic about the Indian book market:
- Despite India’s $800 billion publishing market, a mere 4% is dedicated to leisure reading.
- Educational books dominate 96% of the market, which means most children read only for academic purposes, not for enjoyment.
- Shockingly, in India, the average book purchase per person is just one for every eight individuals annually.
This needs to change if we want a future where reading is a natural habit.
📚 6. How Do We Get More Kids to Read?
Neeraj had three major recommendations to improve encouraging children’s reading habits:
✅ Expand regional language content—Children should have access to stories in languages they naturally connect with, making reading more engaging.
✅ Provide diverse book formats—Whether it’s physical books, e-books, or audiobooks, offering choices enhances accessibility.
✅ Let kids take charge—When children pick their own books, 86% are more likely to complete them, fostering a lifelong habit.
“If we just let kids read what they want, they will read more.”
Bindwel enhances books with strong binding and finishing solutions, ensuring they remain intact and enjoyable across various formats and languages.
💡 A New Way Forward for Encouraging Children’s Reading Habits
Neeraj Jain’s insights at Bindwel Book Round Table made one thing clear:
✔️ We need to stop forcing reading and start making it fun.
✔️ Publishers must create content kids truly enjoy—not just what adults think they should read.
✔️ Parents, schools, and publishers must work together to nurture a true reading culture.
The future of reading isn’t about forcing books—it’s about making books irresistible to kids! Bindwel is committed to this mission by delivering superior bookbinding solutions that make books last longer and enhance the reading experience.
📚 Want to stay updated on the future of children’s publishing? Bindwel continues to bring the latest innovations in bookbinding, ensuring publishers and printers stay ahead.
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