'The great thing about reading is that it's not a competition'

‘Well, the great thing about reading is that it's not a competition. People tell me: he's read this and he's moved on to this. That's not what it is about. I want them to spend time looking, learn how to turn the page. But I do think these phones are a problem for all ages. I see beautiful young lovers walking by and they are both staring at their phones rather than each other. I mean: really! But as long as they fund the libraries I think books will be fine. If your child is ill, what is guaranteed to cheer them up? Always a book.'

Shirley Hughes in the Guardian