Why Printed Books Still Matter: Celebrating World Book Day

Mrs Wordsmith

Wed, Mar 04, 26

6 minutes read

Why Printed Books Still Matter: Celebrating World Book Day

Table of contents:

More than just pages and ink
Books support children's emotional development
Books support academic achievement
Books improve information retention
Books help develop motor skills in younger children
A celebration of books

More than just pages and ink

As the world becomes increasingly digital, it would be easy to assume that books will be eclipsed by more modern learning experiences. However, here at Mrs Wordsmith, we know that’s not the case. Printed books continue to play a uniquely powerful role in children’s development (and we’re delighted to see it!). So on this World Book Day, we want to celebrate the enduring value of physical books and highlight some of the many ways they enrich the lives of children.

Books support children’s emotional development

Stories help children understand themselves as well as the world around them. When children read books, they encounter characters experiencing joy, fear, friendship, disappointment, and triumph. These experiences allow young readers to explore emotions in a safe and meaningful way through characters they can relate to.

Research has shown that reading stories can strengthen empathy and emotional intelligence. A study published in Science found that reading narrative fiction improves people’s ability to understand the thoughts and feelings of others (Kidd & Castano, 2013) [1]. For children, this means that books become powerful tools for developing empathy and social understanding.

Shared reading with caregivers also supports emotional bonding. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, reading together promotes nurturing interactions that support healthy emotional development and stronger parent-child relationships (AAP Council on Early Childhood, 2014) [2].

In short, books don’t just teach children words — they teach them empathy, too.

Books support academic achievement

Children who regularly read books tend to perform better academically across a wide range of subjects.

Large-scale studies have consistently found that children with greater access to books and regular reading habits achieve higher scores in reading, writing, and even mathematics. For example, research by Evans et al. (2010) [3] found that growing up in a home with books significantly improves educational attainment. Surprisingly, the presence of books in the home can be as influential as parental education levels.

Printed books also encourage deeper engagement with texts. Without notifications, hyperlinks, or digital distractions, children are able to focus on the story and absorb information more effectively. This sustained attention is a critical skill that supports learning throughout school and beyond.

Books improve information retention

Reading from printed materials has been shown to support stronger comprehension and memory compared with reading from screens.

A meta-analysis by Delgado et al. (2018) [4] found that readers tend to understand and retain information better when reading from paper rather than digital devices, particularly for longer or more complex texts. The physical experience of navigating a book — turning pages, seeing progress, and spatially locating information — can help the brain build stronger mental maps of what has been read.

For children, this means that printed books can support deeper learning and improved recall. When children physically interact with books, they engage more senses and create richer cognitive connections with the material.

Books help develop motor skills in younger children

For very young children, printed books offer developmental benefits that digital formats simply cannot replicate.

Board books and picture books encourage toddlers to turn pages, point at illustrations, and physically explore the object in their hands. These actions help develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, which are important for early childhood development.

Handling books also teaches spatial awareness and sequencing. Children begin to understand concepts like front and back, left to right, and page order, which are all foundational skills for early literacy.

A celebration of books

So on this World Book Day, join us in celebrating the incredible impact that books have on children’s lives — from nurturing empathy and emotional development to supporting learning, memory, and motor skills.

We encourage everyone — parents, teachers, and young readers alike — to pick up a book, turn its pages, and enjoy the magic of reading.

adult literacy,children's development,early learning,learn to read,print,reading,World Book Day,

References

[1] Kidd, D. C., & Castano, E. (2013). Reading Literary Fiction Improves Theory of Mind. Science, 342(6156), 377–380. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1239918

[2] High, P. C., et al. (American Academy of Pediatrics, Council on Early Childhood). (2014). Literacy Promotion: An Essential Component of Primary Care Pediatric Practice. Pediatrics, 134(2), 404–409. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2014-1384

[3] Evans, M. D. R., Kelley, J., Sikora, J., & Treiman, D. J. (2010). Family scholarly culture and educational success: Books and schooling in 27 nations. Research in Social Stratification and Mobility, 28(2), 171–197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rssm.2010.01.002

[4] Delgado, P., Vargas, C., Ackerman, R., & Salmerón, L. (2018). Don’t throw away your printed books: A meta-analysis on the effects of reading media on reading comprehension. Educational Research Review, 25, 23–38.

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