I say this with some element of glee because I have long felt that I somehow missed a great tranche of children’s literature. I’m not sure how it happened because I was always a book worm. I am the archetypal “read with a torch under the bedclothes” kid who couldn’t put my book down when I was told that I had to switch off the light and go to sleep. I’m sure every parent with a child like me must find it impossible to be really cross despite the disobedient nature of the “crime”.

Anyway, I read every Enid Blyton and every Malcolm Saville book going but somehow I missed many of the classic children’s books and of course there is a wealth of new children’s fiction that has been written since I became an adult that I’ve had no reason to read…until now that is.

Not only is it a pleasure to read but it’s actually critical for my career to get to grips with Horrid Henry, Charlie, Pippi and all the other great characters of modern children’s fiction. It’s a job I’m taking very seriously. I’ve already read books by many of the Children’s Laureates and a lot of other stuff besides. I even went to Exeter last week to see Michael Morpurgo speak. He was delightful. I’ve got a long way to go before I can consider myself anything like an expert in the field but I’m determined it won’t be for the want of trying.

I’m surprised at the themes of these books, many of them cover subjects that seem decidedly grown up for the audience. The Lottie Project is about a girl whose mum is what used to be known as a “gymslip” mum. Cool is about a boy in a coma whose parents are separated and fight all of the time. They don’t shirk from covering these issues and therefore they resonate with children whose home lives mirror their fictional heroes.

Today I managed to grab a moment with the headmaster of my school and ask his permission to run a survey among his children, staff and parents about reading habits. I am relieved and thrilled to report he agreed and seemed excited by the prospect.

Why am I doing this? Well, partly because of my course but also partly because I am aiming to become a literacy specialist at some point in the future (assuming I get through the next seven or eight months). I’ve recently become aware of how many young people go out of school (not primary school but secondary school) barely able to read. It’s shocking and terrifying at the same time. If I can do my bit to reduce that problem it’s another great reason to do this thing.