Children could earn £65,000 more in their lifetime if they do this 1 thing

Children who develop strong reading skills in primary school could earn an extra £65,000 over their lifetime compared to those who don't, according to new research.

Gemma Shelley, founder of innovative publishing service Little Book Factory, says the benefits of reading go far beyond the classroom. "Reading with your child literally rewires their brain for success," she explains. "When you read together, you're activating multiple areas of your child's developing brain simultaneously - language processing, memory, attention, and emotional centres all fire together. This creates stronger neural pathways that boost everything from vocabulary and comprehension to critical thinking and empathy."

Shelley, who previously worked for publishing giants Penguin Random House and Hachette, has seen first-hand how reading for pleasure transforms young lives. "It's not just a hobby. It's linked to stronger writing skills, improved wellbeing and confidence - and, as new data shows, even higher future earnings."

Determined to help children fall in love with stories, Shelley launched Little Book Factory - a service that transforms a child's own writing into a beautifully illustrated hardback book. Unlike traditional personalised stories, Little Book Factory takes children's original words and artwork and turns them into a professional keepsake.

"There's nothing quite like this in the market," says Shelley. "When a child holds a book they wrote themselves, it inspires them to write more, read more and step away from screens. The impact on their passion for literacy is truly phenomenal."

Parents can select a template design at www.littlebookfactory.co.uk, upload their child's story, and watch it be brought to life.

Shelley adds: "When they see their name on the cover, children light up. It gives them a real sense of pride and fuels a lifelong love of reading and writing - and that's an investment worth far more than money."