Philip Pullman has apparently not read the national literacy strategy documents with the care they warrant. The aims of the NLS include pupils being “interested in books”, “reading with enjoyment” and, “through reading and writing, developing their powers of imagination, inventiveness and critical awareness” (NLS Framework, page 3). The review of research underpinning the NLS has substantial sections on literature and poetry.
Roger Beard
Reader in literacy education,
School of Education,
University of Leeds
