FICTION BOOKS AND BENEFITS TO WELL-BEING

In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the importance of supporting reading for pleasure/volitional reading for both children and young people, with well-being benefits cited as one reason for this. In this chapter, we explore the well-being benefits associated with reading fiction books for both children and young people, focusing on specific aspects of well-being, namely positive affect, connection and personal growth. Indeed, when readers enjoy, and are deeply engaged in the fiction books that they read, they report a broad range of positive emotions, for example, relaxed, calm, happy and excited. These emotions are often provoked by the books themselves but can also result from personal memories or reflections prompted by the books. In addition, narrative fiction portrays the social world we live in and readers often report feeling connected to fictional characters, particularly those with whom they personally connect, or report feeling more connected to those around them, as they share and discuss books with others and/or develop an enriched understanding of the lives and experiences of others. Finally, fiction reading can support personal growth, as readers become aware of the language, literacy, empathy and other skills and dispositions, developed by narrative fiction. Focusing on these three aspects of well-being, this chapter provides an up-to-date synthesis of relevant research and considers the implications for practice and policy, as we work collectively to support reading for pleasure and increase the well-being benefits associated with reading fiction for children and young people.