MORE than 1 in 10 children in Islington do not possess a book of their own, with many families on low incomes having no books at home.

Research by the National Literacy Trust reveals that book ownership and reading has fallen to a five-year low in the borough, and the charity has teamed up with a car hire firm to provide children in two schools with books they can keep.

Pooles Park and Laycock primaries have been given more than 100 copies of Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun, by Tolá Okogwu.

The trust’s research revealed that young people from disadvantaged backgrounds often have no access to a book once they have closed their front door – something the trust wants to change.

Jason Vit, a member of the trust’s team, said: “Literacy is reading, writing, speaking, communication, and through literacy we can help create a more equal and just society.

“It has such an effect on life, jobs, careers, social skills and mental wellbeing. It impacts on your life expectancy and health.

“Through literacy people are empowered and have the skills to get on.”

Supported by 90 firms and groups, including the Premier League and the Football Association, the Islington scheme is backed by car firm Enterprise, who have set up a fund to encourage diversity and representation in children’s literacy.

“In 2017 only 4 per cent of children’s books published had characters that were black or minority ethnic,” said Mr Vit.

“Now it is 30 per cent. That is a better reflection of the society we live in and it is a huge move.”

Mr Vit said we can all play a role in ensuring new books by new voices are heard.

“It’s easy to fall into a trap of thinking ‘I liked that story when I was a kid, let’s read that’. Instead, ask librarians what’s new, what is exciting. If you only pick books that you read as a child there would not be any voices coming through. So be a good book buyer.”

Tackling adult literacy is a vital task, he added. “There is a huge stigma. People have no problem with saying ‘I am no good at maths’, but nobody wants to admit they cannot read.

“The first thing to remember is there are seven million adults in the UK with reading skills that are below those expected of an 11-year-old.

“For those who think they can’t do it, or didn’t get on at school, the message is – you really are not alone.”