Author spotlight for a summer of reading / Cat Roberts-Young
The summer holidays have started and our National Read Aloud Challenge (hyperlink to National Read Aloud Challenge) is in full swing. Children aged 5-15 can take part and choose any stories they like to read on Fonetti from fiction to facts. There are several milestones they can hit across different challenge periods. When they’ve achieved them, they’ll receive a personalised signed certificate from our brand ambassador Clare Balding CBE. And they’ll also receive recognition from their school for taking part too.
One of our most popular books on Fonetti is The Ball Pit Monster. It’s had hundreds of views and has remained in the top 10 since the beginning of the challenge. So, I reached out to its author Cat Roberts-Young to see what it means to her to be a part of the challenge this summer and what role she feels technology plays in helping reluctant readers. Here’s what she has to say:
“Thanks for inviting me to comment Kim! There’s no greater feeling as a writer than knowing your stories are being chosen – and enjoyed. But knowing they’re helping kids to read independently tops it all. Fonetti can hear first-hand how every word is pronounced, what stumbling blocks a sentence may have and more importantly, the joy in a child’s voice when they’ve cracked something they found difficult. How brilliant is that? Reading regression isn’t new. Covid played its part and every school holiday since, with the change of routine and flashbacks to home-schooling – give both parents and children a challenge.
Travel without a ticket
A book can transport a child to another world without them needing to leave their house. Reading gives them a passport to so many worlds. Regardless of budget or the size of their friendship group. Just opening a book and diving in independently can make a child’s confidence soar – as well as enrich their imaginations. This is why I’m proud to write for Fonetti. For many children school holidays can feel incredibly lonely. Those living in remote locations may not be able to see their friends easily, maybe their parents are working fulltime, and they spend hours at the workplace with them. But being able to read gives them access to friends, facts and fantasy all in one place. And Fonetti opens the door to that world. Wherever they are. A whole library waiting for them the minute they can access Wi-Fi.
When I wrote The Ball Pit Monster, I hoped it would make kids laugh. And that the rhyme would help them guess any words they found tricky. Hearing that so many are choosing to read it as part of the challenge – and reading it so fluently – has honestly made my summer. It’s on a par with when Kaye Adams chose to read it for the 12 Stories of Christmas. Writing is a solitary thing. It’s just a person putting ideas down on a blank piece of paper. And writers are usually their worst critics (I am mine!). So, you never know if your stories will be popular or not. You just hope. And seeing so many reading one of mine on Fonetti is beyond my expectations. But the number of children taking part in the challenge blows me away. Reading is such a gift. If The Ball Pit Monster can help just one child enjoy reading for pleasure, I’m happy. Good luck to everyone taking part in the challenge this summer – enjoy it and you’ll smash it!”
Have you signed up?
If your little readers haven’t signed up yet they can get started today (hyperlink to National Read Aloud Challenge) for free. Safe screen time for the whole of the summer that boosts their literacy, comprehension and language skills. Whether they’re reading as a native speaker or with English as a second language, they’ll be spoilt for choice with a huge variety of stories in our virtual library. Whatever adventures you’ve got planned this summer – don’t forget to take Fonetti with you.