Why Reading Will Always Matter…
Artificial intelligence is changing the way we live, work and learn. It can answer questions in seconds, help with homework and even tell stories. While these advances are exciting, they also raise an important question: What might children lose if reading books is replaced by screens and AI?
At RedBelly Bean Publishing, we believe that nothing can replace the experience of sitting down with a good book.
When a child reads a story, their brain is incredibly active. Instead of being shown everything on a screen, they create the world in their own imagination. A simple sentence describing a forest becomes a place filled with towering trees, birdsong, rustling leaves and hidden adventures. Every child imagines it differently, making reading a truly personal experience.
Books also engage many of our senses. As children turn the pages, they feel the texture of the paper, hear the gentle sound of each page turning and, with printed books, often notice the familiar smell of a favourite story. These small sensory experiences become part of cherished childhood memories.
Reading develops skills that extend far beyond literacy. It strengthens vocabulary, improves concentration, encourages patience and builds critical thinking. Children learn to follow plots, solve problems alongside characters and understand that actions have consequences.
Stories also nurture emotional intelligence. By experiencing adventures through the eyes of different characters, children learn empathy, kindness, courage and resilience. They begin to understand feelings and perspectives that may be very different from their own.
Unlike instant AI responses, books encourage children to slow down. They pause to think, wonder what might happen next and make predictions. This deeper engagement helps build memory and comprehension while fostering curiosity.
Artificial intelligence can certainly be a useful educational tool when used appropriately. It can support research, explain difficult concepts and provide personalised assistance. However, it works best as a companion to learning rather than a replacement for books, teachers and parents.
The greatest gift we can give a child is a lifelong love of reading. Every story opens a new door, expands vocabulary, fuels imagination and helps children discover who they are.
At Red BellyBean Publishing, our mission is to create stories that inspire children to dream, laugh, learn and imagine. In a world increasingly shaped by technology, books remain one of the most powerful tools for developing creative minds and compassionate hearts.
Because when a child reads a book, they don't simply consume a story, they become part of it.
