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Literature: Author Cressida Cowell interview; ENGLAND: London: INT Cressida Cowell (Author and Writer) interview (1/2) Q: Why are fewer children reading fo fun? A: Cressida Cowell (Author and Writer) interview SOT - on competion against reading from other screen based media - on benefits from reading Q: How do you think the trend can be reversed to get more children reading? A: Cressida Cowell (Author and Writer) interview SOT - on every school having a library, '1 in 4 disadvantaged schools dont have a library, libraries are statuatory in prisons but not in primary schools' - teaching for reading for pleasure in schools Q: Tell me about mobile screen time, do you think that is a problem? A: Cressida Cowell (Author and Writer) interview SOT - 'I think mobile phones are a problem. Just children have some time every day which is about reading for pleasure...' - on NLT having a Libraries for Promary programme openiinig up 1000 libraries in three years - on concern that '1 in 3 children are not enjoying reading... down from 2 in 3' Q: Do you think schools may have a part to play in this? Is there too much focus on assesment, exams and reading for purpose other than for pleasure? A: Cressida Cowell (Author and Writer) interview SOT - on benefits are associated with reading for pleasure and OFSTED only recently introducing criteria for reading for pleasure - on need for government action and advocacy - 'it's a social mobilty time bomb apart from everything else, and every kid deserves the same chance in life..' Q: do you think the cost of living crisis has a part to play in that? A: Cressida Cowell (Author and Writer) interview SOT - on most disadvantaged children being impacted - on urgent need to act now