National Year of Reading 2026 – The NEN

‘We read to know we are not alone’: A global reading adventure inviting everyone to get involved

To mark the National Year of Reading, the National Literacy Trust and the British Council are teaming up to set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for ‘The most people reading together online over 12 hours’ on 8 October
The new record will highlight the wellbeing benefits of reading in the run up to World Mental Health Day
A host of National Year of Reading ambassadors including Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Nathanael Lessore, David Larbi, Nadia Shireen, Ben Mercer, Alice Loxton and T.J. Power to take part
People wanting to get involved can sign up now

Children, young people and adults around the world are being invited to pause for 10 minutes and read together to experience the wellbeing benefits of reading for a brand-new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title taking place in the lead up to World Mental Health Day (10 October).

The new record for the ‘most people reading together online over 12 hours’ will be held on 8 October where schools, families and people in workplaces, libraries and community settings will be invited to take part in online events designed for different age groups: 5-8 years, 8-12 years, 12-16 years and 16+.

Each event will feature a special author or guest, alongside ten minutes of dedicated reading time, and the event for adults (suitable for ages 16+) will be hosted by BookTok personalities Coco Omer and Zubs J Malik with contributions from National Year of Reading ambassadors. Registration is now open, so people can sign up and get involved.

This marks a collaboration between The National Literacy Trust and the British Council in the National Year of Reading 2026.

Author, screen writer and National Year of Reading Ambassador Frank Cottrell-Boyce said: “What a treat it is to be part of this record attempt. Stories belong to the whole world – all our stories are shared, and that’s a wonderful thing.

“Some of the most important reading experiences of my life have been when someone else was reading to me – my dad, a teacher and, more recently, my own children.

“I’m honoured to be able to join in taking ten minutes to slow down, share a story and remind ourselves just how brilliant reading together can be.”

The new record attempt coincides with the National Literacy Trust’s annual #Take10toRead campaign which aims to make reading an accessible part of everyday life, while highlighting the opportunities reading can provide for relaxation, reflection, creativity, connection and exploring different perspectives.

The partnership with the British Council offers the opportunity to reach up to 700 million people across 150 countries around the world through its culture and educational networks, making the record attempt truly global.

David Hayman, Director of The National Year of Reading 2026, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with the British Council on this exciting GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title attempt during the National Year of Reading to take the National Literacy Trust’s Take 10 to Read campaign global.

“Take 10 to Read highlights the wellbeing benefits of reading and encourages people of all ages to take just 10 minutes to read in the run-up to and around World Mental Health Day.

“Together, we’ll create a shared reading moment that transcends borders and demonstrate the power of reading to bring people together, support wellbeing and inspire a lifelong love of reading. In the National Year of Reading, the message is simple: whatever you’re into, take 10 to read into it.”

Fiona Iglesias, Head of Schools at the British Council, said: The British Council is proud to be partnering with the National Literacy Trust as part of the National Year of Reading on this brand-new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title.

“By bringing together young people, educators, libraries and communities in a shared reading experience, we are celebrating the power of stories to unite people across borders.

“Reading has the power to inspire imagination, spark curiosity, broaden horizons and build understanding across countries and cultures.

“As an organisation committed to supporting peace and prosperity through cultural relations and educational opportunities, we are delighted to play a part in an initiative that brings people together through a shared love of reading and celebrates its ability to connect communities around the world.”

Local TGJones store to giveaway FREE Beano comics to celebrate the National Year of Reading

TGJones has partnered with beloved children’s comic Beano to launch an exclusive issue which will be available FOR FREE in all stores between Thursday 16^th and Thursday 23^rd July.

The exclusive edition of Britain’s longest-running comic has a ‘Summer of Sports’ theme and will feature exciting new adventures from Dennis the Menace and his dog Gnasher, guest appearances from famous sporting faces, as well as several vouchers for readers to enjoy in their local TGJones store.

In a special four-page story, Dennis and Gnasher’s school Sports Day is transformed into a hilarious Summer of Sport spectacular, where they meet National Year of Reading Team Go All In captains including Joe Wicks, Tim Henman, Georgia Stanway and Jodie Cunningham, with legendary commentator John Murray joining the action. Packed with Beano humour and sporting mischief, the story celebrates how reading can help kids discover even more about the sports and heroes they love.

The vouchers will allow fans of the comic to get a future issue of the Beano with £1.50 off, a 40% discount on its usual price of £3.75, whilst jokesters who enjoy Beano’s humour will be able to pick up the official Beano Joke Book online for just £2.99 using the code BEANOJOKE, a 50% discount on its usual price of £5.99.

There will be a total of 50,000 issues available as part of the giveaway, available in every TGJones store.

The giveaway in partnership with Beano has been formed to support the National Year of Reading 2026, the biggest campaign in a generation designed to inspire everyone to discover a passion for reading and embed it into our everyday lives. A Department for Education initiative supported by the National Literacy Trust, the National Year of Reading is delivered with the support of major sponsors and partners, including TGJones.

Recent research from National Literacy Trust found that the daily reading habits of children and young people have risen for the first time in five years, with more than a third (36.1%) of those aged 8 to 18 stating they enjoy reading in their free time.

Research from TGJones also revealed that schoolchildren between the ages of 5 and 12 years old spend roughly 6.8 hours a week reading. This trumps time spent on other activities including gaming (5.5 hours a week), playing outside (6.2 hours) and even chatting with their friends (5.8 hours).

When it comes to why children want to read more, TGJones polling showed that 52% are driven by the desire to learn new things, 40% said they were inspired to pick up a book based on its cover, while 33% want to keep up with what their friends are reading.

The campaign and upcoming giveaway aims to encourage the nation to Go All In in 2026, reading into our passions and interests to get more out of the things we already love, whether it’s football, gaming, music, sci-fi, or baking.

Mike Stirling, Beano Director of Mischief, said: “”My job is mainly listening to kids and filling Beano every week with the stories, characters and mischief they love. Comics make reading fun and that’s a superpower worth celebrating.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with TGJones and supporting the National Year of Reading to help introduce as many kids as we can to the joy of picking up a Beano.”

Alex Willson, CEO of TGJones, said: “Reading is so important for a child’s development, and as partners of the National Year of Reading 2026 we are continuously striving to encourage more children to pick up their favourite book or comic.

“Our partnership with Britain’s most beloved comic is just one more way to bring bookshelves to life across the UK.”

Beano fans can get their hands on the free issue between the 16^th and 23^rd July by visiting their local store.

In addition to the weekly issues, TGJones has a huge collection of Beano goodies accessible in-store and online for fans of the comic to browse.

“The most whizzpopping, funbumtious book!” – TGJones reveals winning book reviews of primary school national reading competition

Each winner to receive £4,000 worth of books and stationery for their school

TGJones has revealed the winning reviews of its Bitesize Bookworms campaign, a national reading competition in which primary school children aged between five and 12 years old were challenged to describe their favourite book in 25 words or less.

Split across three primary school age groups, the high-street retailer received thousands of reviews as part of the campaign, with a judging panel consisting of MC Grammar, Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan eventually picking out three winning entries, from the ingenious to the hilarious.

“Plotting and potions

for bad and good,

beware of those witches

in your neighbourhood!

wicked fear, wickeder joy,

grief to grandma to hero mouse boy”

Noah, Year 2, reviewing The Witches by Road Dahl

“The BFG is the most whizzpopping, funbumtious book. The BFG is funtastic. I like his silly langwitch. I also like Sophie, she seems really nice.”

Stanley, Year 4, reviewing The BFG by Road Dahl

“It’s a funny and relatable book; my cat judgementally stared at me while I laughed loudly, snorted juice everywhere, and missed every bedtime until completed.”

Lyla, reviewing The Majorly Awkward BFF Dramas of Lottie Brooks by Katie Kirby

Each winner will receive a £200 TGJones Gift Card, plus £4,000 of books and stationery for their school.

The judging panel also chose three runners-up from each age group, who will receive a £50 TGJones Gift Card and £500 of equipment for their school.

The retailer launched the Bitesize Bookworms competition earlier this year in support of National Year of Reading 2026, the biggest campaign in a generation designed to inspire everyone to discover a passion for reading and embed it into our everyday lives.

A Department for Education initiative supported by the National Literacy Trust, the National Year of Reading is delivered with the support of major sponsors and partners, including TGJones.

The campaign has encouraged the nation to Go All In in 2026, reading into our passions and interests to get more out of the things we already love, whether it’s football, gaming, music, sci-fi, or baking.

TGJones’ competition added to the momentum, encouraging readers to pick up a book and share their recommendations with others to spark a conversation about reading.

Alex Willson, CEO of TGJones and Head Judge of Bitesize Bookworms, said: “Nothing is more creative than a child’s imagination and we wanted to celebrate that unfiltered, accidental comedy that comes from a child giving their honest opinion about their favourite book – and the winners of our competition provided us with just that.

“Reading is so important for a child’s development, and as partners of the National Year of Reading 2026 we hope this campaign has encouraged more children to pick up their favourite book.”

Lcal primary schools could win £4,000 worth of books and stationery through new TGJones competition

Competition launched in celebration of National Year of Reading 2026, encouraging children to ‘Go All In’ on reading with 25‑word book review challenge

TGJones has launched a nationwide competition for UK primary schoolchildren and primary schools, with a total prize value of over £17,000 up for grabs.

The ‘Bitesize Bookworms’ competition supports the National Year of Reading 2026, the biggest campaign in a generation designed to inspire everyone to discover a passion for reading and embed it into our everyday lives.

A Department for Education initiative supported by the National Literacy Trust, the National Year of Reading is delivered with the support of major sponsors and partners, including TG Jones. Primary school children across the country will be asked to share what they love about their favourite book – in 25 words or less.

Each winner will receive a £200 TGJones Gift Card, plus £4,000 of books and stationery for their school, while runners-up will win a £50 TGJones Gift Card and £500 of equipment for their school.

All entrants will be in with a chance of winning the huge prize, with three winners and nine runners up to be selected by an expert panel of literary judges, including primary school teacher turned rapper MC Grammar, Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan.

Competition entries will be split across three primary school age groups, with one winner and three runners-up from each group.

Reception – Year Two (England & Wales) / Primary 1-3 (Scotland & Northern Ireland)
Year Three – Year Four (England & Wales) / Primary 4-5 (Scotland & Northern Ireland)
Year Five – Year Six (England & Wales) / Primary 6-7 (Scotland & Northern Ireland)

The competition has been launched after a poll of 1,500 schoolchildren between the ages of 5 and 12 years old found that they spend over 6.8 hours a week reading, with an average of 3.8 hours spent reading for pleasure, and 3 hours a week spent reading for homework.

This trumps time spent on other activities including gaming (5.5 hours a week), playing outside (6.2 hours) and even chatting with their friends (5.8 hours).

The National Year of Reading aims to change the perception of reading, and redefine it as a modern, relevant and social activity. The campaign encourages the nation to Go All In in 2026, reading into our passions and interests to get more out of the things we already love, whether it’s football, gaming, music, sci-fi, or baking.

The competition adds to the momentum, providing an opportunity to encourage new readers to pick up a book, and share their recommendations with others to spark a conversation about reading.

MC Grammar (Jacob Mitchell) commented: “I can’t wait to hear of the adventures and wonders that kids have discovered within the pages of the books they’ve loved.

“The knowledge they have gained will help shape their lives, and now they have the chance to share that magic with the world – inspiring more readers, everywhere, to open a book and dream.”

David Hayman, Director of the National Year of Reading 2026 said: “Reading has the power to open doors, spark imagination and build confidence in every child.

“Through the National Year of Reading 2026, we’re encouraging families, schools and communities to rediscover the joy of books and inspire a lifelong love of reading.

“We’re incredibly grateful to TG Jones and all of our partners for their support and their shared commitment to making reading a relevant and rewarding part of everyday life.”

Alex Willson, CEO of TGJones and Head Judge of Bitesize Bookworms, said: “Nothing is more creative than a child’s imagination and we want to celebrate that unfiltered, accidental comedy that comes from a child giving their honest opinion about their favourite book.

“Reading is so important for a child’s development, and as partners of the National Year of Reading 2026 we hope this campaign encourages more children to pick up their favourite book.”

When it comes to why children want to read more, polling showed that 52% are driven by the desire to learn new things, 40% said they were inspired to pick up a book based on its cover, while 33% want to keep up with what their friends are reading.

The surge in engagement is fuelled by a love of enduring characters and stories that continue to capture children’s imaginations. The research revealed that JK Rowling’s boy wizard Harry Potter (36%) was the most popular storybook character among primary school-aged children.

In second place was Julia Donaldson’s The Gruffalo with 20%, followed by Roald Dahl’s Matilda with 18%. Marmalade loving Paddington Bear came in fourth place with 16% of the vote, with 15% voting for Peter Rabbit.

When it came to the nation’s favourite children’s authors, JK Rowling topped the charts with 28% of the vote. Roald Dahl was in second place with 23%, followed by Julia Donaldson with 18%. Jeff Kinney, best known as the author and illustrator of ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ secured 10% of the nation’s vote, and ‘The Cat In The Hat’ author Dr. Seuss came fifth with 9% of the vote.

School children who want to share why they love their favourite books can enter via the online entry page, which remains open until 23:59 on Friday 5th June 2026.

TOP TEN CHILDREN’S FAVOURITE STORYBOOK CHARACTERS

Harry Potter – 36%
The Gruffalo – 20%
Matilda – 18%
Paddington Bear – 17%
Peter Rabbit – 15%
Peter Pan – 13%
Alice (Alice in Wonderland) – 13%
Horrid Henry – 12%
Willy Wonka – 12%
The Cat In The Hat – 12%

TOP TEN CHILDREN’S FAVOURITE AUTHORS

JK Rowling – 29%
Roald Dahl – 24%
Julia Donaldson (The Gruffalo) – 19%
Jeff Kinney (Diary of a Wimpey Kid) -11%
Dr Seuss (The Cat in the Hat) – 10%
Beatrix Potter (Peter Rabbit) – 9%
Dav Pilkey (Dog Man) – 8%
Eric Carle (The Very Hungry Caterpillar) – 7%
A.A Milne (Winne the Pooh) – 7%
Francesca Simon (Horrid Henry) – 7%

Edinburgh writers named as SBT New Writer Awardees

Four writers from Edinburgh have been named as this year’s recipients of Scottish Book Trust’s 2024 New Writers Award.

Tutor Alice Rowena Wilson, writer and poet Shasta Hanif Ali, primary teacher Amie Robertson and journalist Sukhada Tatke were selected out of hundreds of entries to take part in this year’s mentorship programme.

Every year, Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives with reading and writing, holds its prestigious year-long writer development programme to support burgeoning writers in Scotland. In addition to a £2,500 cash prize, awardees receive invaluable mentorship from established writers and industry professionals, a week-long retreat, and opportunities to showcase their work to key figures in the publishing world. 

Since its launch in 2009, the New Writers Awards have had an extraordinary impact on publishing. Of the 212 awardees who have completed the programme, 96 have published their work, and 210 books have been published worldwide.

Previous awardees include Graeme Macrae Burnet whose 2015 novel His Bloody Project was shortlisted for the Man Book Prize.

Pakistani-Scottish writer Shasta Hanif Ali is a winner of the Edinburgh 900 Poetry Competition 2025 and the 2024 Candlestick Press Light Poems competition.

She’s also written and performed her poetry at Push The Boat Out Poetry Festival and Edinburgh’s International Book Festival amongst others.   

She says: ‘I am delighted to receive the New Writers Award 2026 and grateful to the Scottish Book Trust for this opportunity.  It’s come at just the right time for my writing and development. I’m looking forward to meeting the other awardees and being in community.’   

Alice Rowena Wilson is originally from Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire and now lives in Edinburgh, where she works as a tutor. She was previously selected for the BBC New Creatives programme, in partnership with Arts Council England.

Her short drama was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra in 2021. She is particularly interested in the intersection of the historical, the fantastical, and the imaginary.

 Alice says: ‘I’m absolutely thrilled to receive this award. I was totally shocked when I got the call – I’d just woken up from a nap and thought it was a bizarre dream! 

“I’m now looking forward to throwing myself into my writing this year, and making the most of this opportunity.’ 

Amie Robertson is a primary school teacher from Edinburgh, who specialises in children’s stories. Her stories weave a passion for Scottish history and mythology with the lived reality of her working-class background.  

She has completed two writing courses at Edinburgh University, where her children’s picture book, My Secret Dragon was chosen for their writing showcase. She is working on her second middle-grade novel, inspired by historical Hebridean clans with an added touch of magic.  

Amie says: ‘I am shocked and overjoyed to have won the Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award and cannot emphasise enough how much it truly means.

“It has given me the confidence and determination to go after my writing dreams, with the invaluable support and insight from those within the business. I just can’t wait to get started!’ 

Sukhada Tatke is an independent journalist and communications officer at a think tank. She was the inaugural recipient of this year’s The Kavya Prize, to support an emerging writer of colour.

Originally from Mumbai, India, she currently lives in Edinburgh. Her features have been published in Al Jazeera, Wired, BBC and Atlas Obscura, and essays in literary magazines such as The Rumpus, Literary Hub, Commonwealth Writers’ and Verseville. She is the recipient of several journalism awards and fellowships. 

Sukhada says: ‘I am incredibly thrilled and honoured to receive this award. In what is often a solitary journey riddled with challenges and self-doubt, it is wonderful to get the kind of recognition that tells you you’re on the right path.

“I look forward to meeting my cohort and the many opportunities this award will bring.’ 

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said:  ‘Congratulations to this year’s New Writers, each of whom were selected for this opportunity for their exceptional writing. It’s always incredible to meet our awardees as they start their year-long journey of receiving invaluable support and mentorship.

“We look forward to seeing the next steps in their writing journeys.’ 

Here is the full list of awardees:

Shasta Hanif Ali, poetry

EmmaClaire Brightlyn, spoken word

Alice Rowena Wilson, fiction and narrative non-fiction

Amie Robertson, children’s and young adult

Sukhada Tatke, Kavya winner

Donna Louise Irvine, Scots

David Ross Linklater, poetry

Andy Grace Edwards, fiction and narrative non-fiction

Sam Tanner, children and young adult

Soundtrack your Story theme at Drumbrae Library’s Chatterbooks

TUESDAY 3rd FEBRUARY from 6 – 7pm

Chatterbooks, our P4-7 book group, is on this Tuesday from 6 – 7pm.

As it’s National Storytelling Week we will be looking at the theme of ‘Soundtrack your story‘.

We will be looking at books themed around music, read, chat, play games, craft and have fun!

(We will keep our animal themed session for the following meet up)